PRINTER'S NO. 3409
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2287
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SNYDER, KIRKLAND, P. COSTA, MURT, HAGGERTY,
SCHLOSSBERG, STEPHENS, STURLA, CONKLIN, CALTAGIRONE, KAUFER,
YOUNGBLOOD, TOEPEL, DRISCOLL, FRANKEL, DeLUCA, WARREN,
ROEBUCK, HILL-EVANS, WARD, SCHWEYER AND GILLEN,
APRIL 19, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 19, 2018
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 certification of teachers,
providing for crisis training continuing professional
development course.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1218. Crisis Training Continuing Professional
Development Course.--(a) The Department of Education shall
develop and implement a continuing professional education course
on crisis training.
(b) The courses established by the department may be used by
professional educators to satisfy the requirements of section
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(c) The Department of Education shall develop the continuing
professional education course in a manner that provides
professional educators with information and strategies to keep
the children in this Commonwealth's schools safe.
(d) The continuing professional education course shall
include training on the following:
(1) Information and strategies on how to recognize signs
that students may need professional help threat assessment.
(2) Application of training strategies for active shooter
civilian responses.
(3) Exercises with the Pennsylvania State Police or local
law enforcement in responding to a crisis situation.
(4) P articipation in a simulated active shooter and intruder
response drill conducted and led by law enforcement
professionals. Each drill may include an explanation of its
purpose and a safety briefing. The training shall require each
participant to know and understand how to respond in the event
of an actual emergency on school property or at a school event.
(5) In formation and techniques on how to address situations
where an active shooter is present in a school or on school
property.
(e) Continuing professional education course materials may
include the following:
(1) Materials that educate educators in safety tools.
(2) Teaching aids that allow teachers to experience a crisis
situation.
(3) Tabletop exercises of discussion-based critical incident
or emergency exercises.
(f) By July 31, 2018, and each July 31 thereafter, the
Department of Education shall submit to the chairman and
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minority chairman of the Education Committee of the Senate and
the chairman and minority chairman of the Education Committee of
the House of Representatives a report that includes:
(1) The number of professional educators who have enrolled
in the continuing professional education course.
(2) The number of professional educators who have completed
the continuing education course.
(3) Any issue that professional educators, administrators,
students or the Department of Education have identified and need
to be addressed.
(g) The course established under subsection (a) shall be
voluntary, offered online and at no cost to professional
educators.
(h) For the purpose of this section, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Crisis situation" shall mean an emergency situation that
causes or has the potential to cause injury or loss of life to
faculty, staff, students or the public. The term includes, but
is not limited to, crime, terrorism, armed intruder or other
violent threat to the life, health and safety of people or that
damages or destroys property or causes major disruptions of
regular activities.
"Professional educator" shall mean an individual who holds a
Pennsylvania teacher, educational specialist or administrative
certification or letter of eligibility.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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