Synopsis: This law is missing numbers 3, 5, 8 and 9 and got a half point for 6, 10, and 11 - See "Making the Grade" www.bullypolice.org. Sadly, this new law is worse than a proposed law in 2005 which would have recieved a B+. This 2007 proposed law only rates a C+
PENNSYLVANIA THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
C + LAW
SENATE BILL
No. 71 Session of 2007INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, ORIE, KITCHEN, COSTA, BOSCOLA,
RAFFERTY, FONTANA, PUNT, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON, O'PAKE,
WASHINGTON, BROWNE AND STACK, JANUARY 29, 2007REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 29, 2007
AN ACTAmending 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," further providing for Office for Safe Schools; and requiring the establishment of policies relating to bullying.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1302-A(c) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, amended June 26, 1999 (P.L.394, No.36), is amended to read:
Section 1302-A. Office for Safe Schools.--* * *
(c) In addition to the powers and duties set forth under subsection (a), the office is authorized to make targeted grants to schools to fund programs which address school violence, including, but not limited to, the following programs:
(1) Conflict resolution or dispute management.
(2) Peer helpers programs.
(3) Risk assessment, safety-related or violence prevention curricula.
(4) Classroom management.
(5) Student codes of conduct.
(6) Training to undertake a districtwide assessment of risk factors that increase the likelihood of problem behaviors among
students.
(7) Development and implementation of research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors to reduce
incidents of problem behaviors among students including, but not limited to, bullying.
(8) Comprehensive, districtwide school safety and violence prevention plans.
(9) Security planning, purchase of security-related technology which may include metal detectors, protective lighting, surveillance
equipment, special emergency communications equipment, electronic locksets, deadbolts and theft control devices and
training in the use of security-related technology. Security planning and purchase of security-related technology shall be based
on safety needs identified by the school entity's board of directors.
(10) Institution of student, staff and visitor identification systems.
(11) Establishment or enhancement of school security personnel, including school resource officers.
(12) Provision of specialized staff and student training programs, including training for Student Assistance Program team members
in elementary, middle and high schools in the referral of students at risk of violent behavior to appropriate community-based
services, including mental health services.
(13) Alternative education programs provided for in Article
(14) Counseling services for students enrolled in alternative education programs.Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read: Section 1303.1-A. Policy Relating to Bullying.
(a) No later than June 30, 2007, each school entity shall adopt a policy relating to bullying or amend the school entity's code of student conduct required under 22 Pa. Code § 12.3(c) (relating to school rules) to include provisions relating to bullying. The policy or amendment to the code of student conduct shall delineate discipline consequences for bullying and may provide for prevention, intervention and education programs, provided that no school entity shall be required to establish a new policy under this section if one currently exists and reasonably fulfills the requirements of this section.
(b) Each school entity shall distribute the policy relating to bullying with the code of student conduct required under 22 Pa. Code § 12.3 (c) and shall make the policy available on its publicly accessible Internet website.
(c) Each school entity shall review its policy every three years and annually provide the office with a copy of its policy relating to bullying, including information related to the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention and education programs. The information required under this subsection shall be attached to or made part of the annual report required under section 1303-A(b).
(d) For the purposes of this section, "bullying" shall have the same meaning as it is given in the section related to definitions in the annual report on school violence and weapon possession that school entities are required to complete pursuant to section 1303-A(b).Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
The Bully Police - Pennsylvania leadership group:
Heidi Markow – Co Director, Bully Police Pennsylvania, had a sister murdered by a bully ex-husband in June 2006.
Email: Heidimarkow (at) aol (dot) com.PA-Roy Baldwin – Bully Police Pennsylvania, Legislative Liaison – Email: baldwinr68 (at) yahoo (dot) com - Works at the Milton Hershey School as a House Parent, and in various volunteer organizations (http://www.mhs-pa.org)
Monica Thomas – Bully Police Pennsylvania Pittston Area School District Director – Parent of a student being bullied (Her son, Joey, is doing a video documentary on his experiences) - Email: adoptionreformactivist (at) yahoo (dot) com
One Education Committee Member - Senate
Browne, Patrick Senate District 16
ROOM: 460 Capitol Building
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-1349
E-MAIL ADDRESS: pbrowne @ pasen.gov
INDIVIDUAL HOMEPAGE: http://www.senatorbrowne.com