PRINTER'S NO. 2631
No. 311 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, BUTKOVITZ, PERZEL, J. TAYLOR AND DeWEESE,
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, NOVEMBER 10, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Authorizing and directing the Subcommittee on Cities, Counties -
2 First Class of the Urban Affairs Committee to conduct an
3 investigation into the problems relating to violence and
4 possession of weapons in public and nonpublic schools in
5 Pennsylvania.
6 WHEREAS, Students, teachers and other school personnel
7 possess a fundamental human right to teach and learn in a safe
8 school environment; and
9 WHEREAS, Assaults on teachers, students and other school
10 personnel is a serious problem deserving study; and
11 WHEREAS, Many weapons are confiscated on school property, but
12 students are rarely expelled for committing weapons violations;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, The low expulsion rate for weapons violations is
15 particularly troublesome in light of a State law which requires
16 the expulsion of students who possess weapons on school property
17 except in cases where the superintendent recommends leniency;
18 and
19 WHEREAS, There is a substantial concern that there is an
1 inadequate system of alternative schools for disruptive
2 students; and
3 WHEREAS, There are indications that some school districts are
4 failing in their duty to create a safe learning and teaching
5 environment for students and school personnel; therefore be it
6 RESOLVED, That the Subcommittee on Cities, Counties - First
7 Class of the Urban Affairs Committee is hereby authorized and
8 directed to examine, investigate and make a complete study of
9 any and all matters relating to the problems of violence,
10 possession of weapons in public and nonpublic schools and the
11 failure of school districts to effectively deal with the problem
12 of weapons and school violence; and be it further
13 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee may hold hearings, take
14 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
15 necessary in this Commonwealth. Each member of the subcommittee
16 shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to
17 witnesses appearing before the subcommittee; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That the Urban Affairs Committee and the Education
19 Committee assist the subcommittee to the fullest extent
20 possible; and be it further
21 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee is authorized to hire or
22 contract for such staff as it deems necessary and the expenses
23 incurred by the subcommittee shall be paid from accounts under
24 the control of the Chief Clerk; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee shall report its findings
26 together with its recommendations for remedial legislation or
27 other appropriate action at the earliest practicable date to the
28 House of Representatives.
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