For Immediate Release
6/15/09

Piccola's Safe Schools Legislation Reported out of Appropriations Committee

Measures Await Senate Action

HARRISBURG – The Senate Appropriations Committee passed today Senate Bill 55 and 56, a legislative package sponsored by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola, Chairman of the Education Committee, which would provide an overhaul to Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Law (Act 26 of 1995) by making changes to the state's school violence reporting system and creating tougher school hiring policies.  Both bills now await consideration by the full Senate.

"I applaud the members of this Committee for their quick action and for recognizing the need for my legislation – legislation that will improve the Pennsylvania Department of Education's ability to more effectively administer the law and ultimately ensure all students are safer while in the classroom," Piccola said.  "I also thank Senator Andrew Dinniman, my colleague and Minority Chairman of the Education Committee, for working closely with me to craft an amendment to Senate Bill 56 that reflects the concerns of all interested parties and most importantly ensures the legislation is revenue neutral."

Senate Bill 55 would establish a lifetime ban on working in schools for those who have been convicted of serious violent offenses, including sexual violence and crimes against children.  The bill also prohibits anyone convicted of any other felony crime from working in a school setting for at least ten years.

The amendment to Senate Bill 56 would require the Department to create an Office for Safe Schools within the agency and no longer outsource that function.  The amendment also mandates a targeted grant allocation process that the Office for Safe Schools must follow as well.

"Both of these measures evolved from work of an Investigating Grand Jury in Dauphin County and focus on their most fundamental recommendations: preventing individuals with serious criminal records from teaching and working in our schools and requiring that crimes committed on school grounds are reported to the police.  My legislation, particularly Senate Bill 56, enhances the relationship and reporting that should already be going on between a responsible school district and their local police," explained Piccola.

In addition to addressing the recommendations of the Grand Jury, Piccola’s bills respond to several issues highlighted in a report by Auditor General Jack Wagner.  The recent special performance audit noted that the Department was not verifying the violence statistics it received from schools and that it was failing to monitor school violence.

"One of our most basic human needs is personal security.  By amending the Safe Schools Act, we can promote better working relationships between school administrators and local police, as well as improve accountability in school violence reporting to ensure safer schools throughout this Commonwealth," said Piccola.

CONTACT:

Colleen Greer
(717) 787-6801

Additional Information:
Education

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