PRINTER'S NO. 670
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
632
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, APRIL 28, 2023
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 28, 2023
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 school security, providing for
school safety form.
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 1314.1-C. School safety form.
(a) Notice.--In accordance with this section, a school
entity shall provide written notice that the form under
subsection (b) was received from the employees of the school
entity or submitted by an employee of the school entity. A form
shall allow an employee granted a form under subsection (c) to
possess a firearm on the grounds of the school entity in the
course of the employee's official duties.
(b) Request form.--On a document prescribed by the
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department, an employee of a school entity may submit a request
for a form to the chief school administrator of the school
entity where the employee is employed.
(c) Approval of request.--Upon receipt of a request for a
form under subsection (b), the school entity shall, within 45
days, grant a school safety form to the employee if the employee
provides the following:
(1) Valid proof of employment by the school entity.
(2) A current full-face photograph that measures two
inches by two inches.
(3) Proof of a valid license to carry firearms issued
within this Commonwealth.
(4) A signed statement certifying that the employee
completed an in-person training and proficiency course for
the type of firearm the employee intends to carry on school
property. The statement must be provided by:
(i) an instructor certified by the National Rifle
Association in firearm instruction; or
(ii) another instructor deemed competent to provide
the instruction by a judge of the court of common pleas
in:
(A) the jurisdiction where the instructor
resides; or
(B) the jurisdiction where the school entity is
located.
(5) The statement under paragraph (4) is subject to 18
Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to
authorities) and must demonstrate that:
(i) the course provided training in:
(A) the protection of students;
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(B) interaction of license holders with first
responders;
(C) tactics for denying an intruder entry into a
classroom or school facility;
(D) safe handling and storage of weapons; and
(E) operating defensive weapons under duress;
(ii) the course included no less than 15 and no more
than 30 hours of instruction or as deemed appropriate by
an instructor under paragraph (4)(i) or (ii); and
(iii) the employee was required to demonstrate
hands-on safety and proficiency with the type of firearm
the employee intends to carry on school property.
(d) Photograph.--An employee granted a form shall annually
submit to the school entity a current full-face photograph that
measures two inches by two inches.
(e) List of individuals.--
(1) A school entity shall annually submit to the
Pennsylvania State Police and applicable municipal police
departments a complete list of the names with corresponding
photographs of the employees employed by the school entity
who have been granted a form. A copy of a submission under
this paragraph must be included in the district's emergency
preparedness plan under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7701(g) (relating to
duties concerning disaster prevention) and 22 Pa. Code Ch. 10
(relating to safe schools). A school entity shall coordinate,
including providing names and photographs, with its team
under Article XIII-E.
(2) Notwithstanding information provided by the school
entity to the Pennsylvania State Police or a municipal police
department under this subsection, a name, list, picture or
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other information identifying the name, existence or identity
of an individual certified under this act is confidential and
not subject to access under the act of February 14, 2008
(P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law. A school
entity, person or State or local governmental agency or
department that violates this section, resulting in the
dissemination of confidential material to the public, is
liable for civil damages in the amount of $1,000 per
occurrence or three times the actual damages incurred as a
result of the violation, whichever is greater, as well as
reasonable attorney fees.
(f) Storage.--The secure storage of a firearm may only be
required if the individual is not carrying the firearm on the
individual's body.
(g) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used
in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Chief school administrator." As defined under section 1301-
E.
"Firearm." As defined under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9712(e) (relating
to sentences for offenses committed with firearms).
"Form." A school safety form provided under subsection (c).
"License to carry firearms." A license to carry a firearm
issued under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109 (relating to licenses).
"School entity." As defined under section 1301-E.
"Team." As defined under section 1301-E.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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