PRINTER'S NO. 749
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
708
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, SNYDER, KORTZ, MURT, KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD,
HILL-EVANS, DRISCOLL, MENTZER, NEILSON, McCLINTON AND
DAVIDSON, MARCH 6, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 6, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
further providing for fire and emergency evacuation drills.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1517(a) and (a.1) of the act of March 10,
1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
amended November 6, 2017 (P.L.1142, No.55) and June 22, 2018
(P.L.241, No.39), are amended to read:
Section 1517. Fire and Emergency Evacuation Drills.--(a)
Except as provided under subsection (a.1), in all school
buildings of school entities where fire-escapes, appliances for
the extinguishment of fires, or proper and sufficient exits in
case of fire or panic, either or all, are required by law to be
maintained, [fire drills] a fire drill and school security drill
shall be periodically conducted during alternating months, not
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
less than one a month, by the teacher or teachers in charge,
under rules and regulations to be promulgated by the chief
school administrator under whose supervision such school
entities are. In such fire drills the pupils and teachers shall
be instructed in, and made thoroughly familiar with, the use of
the fire-escapes, appliances and exits. The drill shall include
the actual use thereof, and the complete removal of the pupils
and teachers, in an expeditious and orderly manner, by means of
fire-escapes and exits, from the building to a place of safety
on the ground outside.
(a.1) [Within ninety (90) days of the commencement of the
school year after the effective date of this subsection and
within ninety (90) days of the commencement of each school year
thereafter, each school entity shall conduct one school security
drill per school year in each school building in place of a fire
drill required under subsection (a). After ninety (90) days from
the commencement of each school year, each school entity may
conduct two school security drills per school year in each
school building in place of two fire drills required under
subsection (a).] All of the following shall apply to school
security drills:
(1) The school security drill may be conducted while the
school entity is in session and students are present under
policies adopted by the chief school administrator.
(2) The chief school administrator or a designee shall
oversee the instruction and training of students and school
employees in the procedures to be used in the school security
drill.
(3) The chief school administrator shall notify and request
assistance from the local law enforcement agency and emergency
20190HB0708PN0749 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
management agency before conducting the school security drill at
least once during the school year.
(4) The chief school administrator shall provide notice of
the school security drill in advance to parents and legal
guardians of the students attending the school building for
which the school security drill is scheduled.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20190HB0708PN0749 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8