HB 345 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of councils of trustees.

PRINTER'S NO.   300

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 345
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, JAMES, SMITH AND PICKETT, JANUARY 27, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 27, 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 the State System of Higher
 6      Education, further providing for definitions and for powers
 7      and duties of councils of trustees.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.    The definition of "campus police" in section
11   2001-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as
12   the Public School Code of 1949, amended July 17, 2024 (P.L.945,
13   No.89), is amended to read:
14      Section 2001-A.    Definitions.--The following words and
15   phrases when used in this article shall, for the purpose of this
16   article, have the following meanings, respectively, except in
17   those instances where the context clearly indicates a different
18   meaning:
19      * * *
20      "Campus police" shall mean all law enforcement personnel
21   employed by the system who [have successfully completed a campus
 1   police course of training approved] are certified as police
 2   officers under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal
 3   police education and training).
 4         * * *
 5         Section 2.   Section 2009-A(13) of the act is amended to read:
 6         Section 2009-A.   Powers and Duties of Councils of Trustees.--
 7   (a)    In accordance with policies, procedures and standards
 8   adopted by the board, the council of each institution shall have
 9   the power and its duty shall be:
10         * * *
11         [(13)   By resolution adopted by the council to authorize
12   campus police who have completed firearms training in accordance
13   with 53 Pa.C.S. § 2167(a) (relating to police training) to carry
14   firearms in the course of duty for any institution whose campus
15   police are authorized to carry firearms on the effective date of
16   this paragraph, the authority to carry firearms shall remain in
17   effect unless the council by resolution dissolves such
18   authority.]
19         * * *
20         Section 3.   A resolution adopted by a council of trustees of
21   an institution within the State System of Higher Education under
22   section 2009-A(13) of the act that authorizes campus police to
23   carry firearms shall be void and of no effect as of the
24   effective date of this section.
25         Section 4.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250HB0345PN0300                     - 2 -