York County News

The Senate Education Committee has moved forward with a bill introduced by Senator Mike Regan, aimed at enhancing the safety of Pennsylvania students and teachers. The proposed legislation, known as Senate Bill 907, mandates that schools employ armed security personnel during operational hours.

"Schools should be a place where students and teachers feel safe and the focus can be on learning," stated Regan. He emphasized the importance for parents to feel assured about their children's safety while at school.

The bill stipulates that each school district must have an armed, trained, and vetted security officer present during school hours. Additionally, it allows school boards the option to station armed security personnel during extracurricular activities outside regular hours.

Regan highlighted the rigorous training and certification requirements for these security personnel, which include lethal weapons training and guidance on student interactions. "The state requires students to attend school, so it has a responsibility to ensure their safety during school hours," he said. "My bill would ensure schools, teachers and students are less vulnerable to an attack."

Funding for these measures is supported by $800 million in grant funds appropriated by the General Assembly for school safety upgrades. However, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, only about half of the state's 500 districts have utilized these grants for employing armed officers.

"School safety experts have told us the most effective method of deterring violence in schools is by putting an armed, trained and vetted security person in every school," Regan added. "We need to do this now before another tragedy strikes a school full of children."

Senate Bill 907 will now proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.

For more details about Senator Regan's initiatives, visit his website at www.SenatorRegan.com.