PENNSYLVANIA ACT 44

Contains Multiple Provisions for School Safety and Security and Impacts all Pennsylvania School Entities

Effective June 22, 2018

The law can be found here:  http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2018

ASR Alert Systems addresses the Act Component relating to Communications Practices and Available Technology Tools.

Mandates Appointment of School Safety and Security Coordinators

• Each chief school administrator of a school entity shall appoint a school administrator as the school safety and security coordinator.
• The coordinator reports directly to the chief school administrator and:
  • Oversees school police, resource officers, and school security,
  • Reviews the school entity's policies and procedures,
  • Coordinates training and resources for students and staff,
  • Coordinates school safety and security assessments, 
  • Reports to the school entity board by June 30 each year on school safety and security,
  • Coordinates biennial tour of school entity's buildings with law enforcement and first responders to coordinate security matters and,
  • Serves as the liaison to the Committee, PA Department of Education, law enforcement, and other organizations on matters of school safety and security.

Creates School Safety and Security Committee Within PCCD

The committee is required to do the following:

• Physical Assessment - Shall consist of an evaluation of the School Entity's structural facilities and surrounding property, including; 

1. 1. Review of existing safety and security plans.
   2. Review of existing plans for crisis response and mitigation,
   3. Analysis of crime and prevention policy and practices, including environmental design,
   4. Discussions with local law enforcement, and,
   5. Analysis of school agreements with local law enforcement.

• Policy and Training Assessment - Shall consist of an evaluation of a school entity's policies and practices, including;

1. 1. Analysis of policies related to student safety, security, and management issues,
   2. Discussions with employees,
   3. Review of student code of conduct,
   4. Review of safety and security training practices,
   5. Recommendations for effective school safety and security training for employees and,
   6. Analysis of communications practices and available technology tools.

• Student Assistance and Behavioral Health Assessment.
• Establish criteria for registration of persons or entities to conduct school safety and security assessments and receive registration applications.
• Develop a survey to distribute to school entities to measure school safety and security throughout the Commonwealth and review the surveys and notify school entities of findings.
• Administer the School Safety and Security Grant Program.

Expands PA State Police's Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Team

By March 31, 2019, the Pennsylvania State Police are required to establish three Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Teams (RVATs) to operate within 3 geographic regions in PA.  Teams are to conduct assessments while school is in session.  The RVATs shall report any critical school entity safety and security needs identified through their assessments to the Committee ANNUALLY.

Establishes Mandatory School Safety Training for School Entity Employees

School entities shall provide their employees with MANDATORY training on school safety and security.  Training shall address:

• Situational Awareness
• Trauma-Informed Education Awareness
• Behavioral Health Awareness
• Suicide and Bullying Awareness
• Substance Use Awareness
• Emergency Training Drills (including fire, natural disaster, active shooter, hostage situation, and bomb threat)

Employees shall complete a MINIMUM of THREE HOURS of training every five years.

Establishes Standards for School Police, School Resource Officers, and School Security Guards

Created Article XIII-C relating to school police officers and school resource officers.  Officers may:

• Assist in identifying physical changes in the school environment that may reduce crime,
• Assist in developing school policies to address crime and recommend procedural changes,
• Develop and educate students in crime prevention and safety,
• Train students in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and crime awareness,
• Address crime and violence issues, gangs, and drug activities, and
• Develop and expand community justice initiatives for students.

• School safety support services,
• Enhanced campus supervision,
• Assistance with disruptive students,
• Monitoring visitors on campus,
• Coordination with law enforcement officials,
• Security functions that improve and maintain school safety.

Establishes the Safe2Say Program in the Attorney General's Office

The Attorney General (AG) is required to administer the Safe2Say program as of January 14, 2019.  This will be a 24/7 anonymous tip line for school safety.  Information received will be forwarded to the affected school entity and law enforcement.  

Submit Questions to:  RA-CD-SSSC@pa.gov

Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE.  

Mass Notification Instantly for Communication, Best Practice in a Crisis Event Like an Active Shooter

Communications Practices and Available Technology Tools

ASR Alert Systems is a state-of-the-art critical incident response technology specializing in the field of threat alert notifications to local Law Enforcement and First Responders in the event of a crisis. The threat notification capabilities include Active Shooter/Assailant, Medical and Severe Weather. Our team of professionals has diverse experience in Security, Law Enforcement and Special Operations Military. ASR has melded these capabilities for use in both the public and private sectors.

            ASR’s President, Hector Delgado says, “Our system empowers students, faculty, and staff to notify local first responders, 911 dispatch, and all personnel within their facility in an active shooter/assailant situation with the simple push of a button. The notification pinpoints and provides the exact location of the threat. This not only helps police respond immediately with accurate information, but it also helps our students, faculty, and staff know where the threat is located so they can run away from the threat, not towards it. There is no question that the ASR Alert System can make a difference, we truly believe that saving time saves lives!”

Encourage Your School to Contact Us

Being involved with school safety is on every parents mind.  You can help to make certain that YOUR SCHOOL is implementing this life-saving critical incident response technology by encouraging your school to reach out to us to schedule a free demonstration.

Remember:

• Saving Time Saves Lives.
• ASR is currently offering special bundle pricing for schools.

Become a Voice for Change

A petition has been started to ensure the a Nationwide standard (Alyssa's Law) gets passed at the national level. The law was passed in New Jersey earlier this year and implemented for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. State Representative Michael Gottlieb has sponsored the bill and will need the legislature to agree to allow alarms in schools.  The law is also now in effect in the State of Florida and is in the legislation process across multiple other states.

The public can help bring Alyssa's Law through to the national level by signing the petition using the link below. The petition has a goal of 10,000 signatures. 

To sign the petition CLICK HERE