HB 823 — 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, further providing for fire and emergency evacuation drills.

PRINTER'S NO.    850

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 823
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SMITH-WADE-EL, HANBIDGE, HILL-EVANS, KAZEEM,
        CERRATO, McNEILL, GIRAL, OTTEN, WAXMAN, KENYATTA, SANCHEZ,
        MAYES, STEELE, KHAN, GREEN, RIVERA, RABB, D. WILLIAMS,
        HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, PARKER, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND WARREN,
        MARCH 6, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 6, 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      further providing for fire and emergency evacuation drills.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    Section 1517(a.1) of the act of March 10, 1949
10   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
11   amended to read:
12      Section 1517.    Fire and Emergency Evacuation Drills.--* * *
13      (a.1)   Within ninety (90) days of the commencement of the
14   school year after the effective date of this subsection and
15   within ninety (90) days of the commencement of each school year
16   thereafter, each school entity shall conduct one school security
17   drill per school year in each school building in place of a fire
18   drill required under subsection (a). After ninety (90) days from
 1   the commencement of each school year, each school entity may
 2   conduct two school security drills per school year in each
 3   school building in place of two fire drills required under
 4   subsection (a). All of the following shall apply:
 5      (1)   The school security drill shall be conducted while the
 6   school entity is in session and students are present under
 7   policies adopted by the chief school administrator.
 8      (2)   The chief school administrator or a designee shall
 9   oversee the instruction and training of students and school
10   employees in the procedures to be used in the school security
11   drill.
12      (3)   The chief school administrator shall notify and request
13   assistance from the local law enforcement agency and emergency
14   management agency before conducting the school security drill.
15      (4)   The chief school administrator shall provide notice of
16   the school security drill and debrief period required under
17   paragraph (8) at least seven (7) days in advance to parents and
18   legal guardians of the students attending the school building
19   for which the school security drill is scheduled.
20      (5)   A school security drill shall be age-appropriate and
21   developmentally appropriate and include trauma-informed
22   approaches to address the concerns and well-being of students
23   and school personnel.
24      (6)   The content of a school security drill shall include and
25   involve school personnel, including school-based mental health
26   professionals or a designee selected by the chief school
27   administrator.
28      (7)   A school security drill shall not include any props,
29   actors, simulations or other tactics intended to mimic an
30   incident of violence or other emergency, including:

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 1      (i)    Authentic or simulated weapons.
 2      (ii)    Gunfire.
 3      (iii)    Simulated fatalities, wounds or injuries.
 4      (iv)    Simulated blood.
 5      (v)    An individual posing as an active shooter or a victim of
 6   an active shooter.
 7      (8)    Immediately following a school security drill, each
 8   school entity shall implement a reasonable amount of time for
 9   teachers to debrief with their students. During the debrief
10   period, students shall be allowed to access any mental health
11   services available on campus.
12      (9)    A school security drill shall be accompanied by an
13   announcement prior to commencement that uses concise and age-
14   appropriate language and, at a minimum, informs students that
15   there is no immediate danger to life and safety.
16      * * *
17      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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