HB 1565 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

PRINTER'S NO.   1850

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1565
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY BANTA AND SMITH, JUNE 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 5, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
 6      providing for instructions in firearm safety.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11   section to read:
12      Section 1556.     Instructions in Firearm Safety.--(a)
13   Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each school entity
14   shall offer instruction in firearm safety to all students in
15   each grade from kindergarten through twelve. The instruction
16   must be:
17      (1)     Age appropriate to the grade level of the student.
18      (2)     Offered in a politically neutral manner.
19      (b)     The department shall, in consultation with the
20   Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission,
 1   develop curriculum guidelines on firearm safety. The guidelines,
 2   at a minimum, shall include information on:
 3      (1)   The safe handling of firearms.
 4      (2)   The safe storage of firearms.
 5      (3)   The proper steps to take when encountering a firearm.
 6      (4)   The dangers of misusing a firearm.
 7      (5)   The benefits of firearms and the recreational activities
 8   that can be completed with firearms.
 9      (c)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
10   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
11      "Department."   The Department of Education of the
12   Commonwealth.
13      "Firearm."   As follows:
14      (1)   Any weapon designed to, or readily convertible to, expel
15   a projectile by the action of an explosive.
16      (2)   The frame or receiver of a weapon under paragraph (1).
17      "School entity."   A school district, intermediate unit, area
18   career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
19   school or regional charter school.
20      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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