This bill creates a School Safety Certification Program allowing school districts, at their discretion, to authorize qualified employees to carry firearms or other lawful defensive weapons on school property after meeting strict certification requirements.

Under the Enhanced Classroom Security Act, an employee must:
 

• Hold a valid Pennsylvania license to carry firearms;
• Successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)-certified training, including hands-on proficiency with the specific weapon to be carried; and
• Participate in annual coordination with local law enforcement, including at least one joint training exercise, to ensure safe and effective emergency response.

The legislation also provides:
 

• Confidentiality protections for certified employees, with enhanced penalties for unauthorized disclosure;
• A clear definition of “scope of employment” to ensure firearms are limited to school property and school-sponsored activities; and
• Local control, allowing each school district to determine whether to implement this option.

The Enhanced Classroom Security Act is a balanced, safety-driven approach to empower schools to respond to threats where immediate law enforcement presence is not possible, while maintaining strict safeguards and accountability.

During the 2022 Session, Senate Bill 1288 was co-sponsored by Senators Hutchinson, Mensch, Phillips-Hill, Scavello, and Pittman.

Please join me in supporting this important legislation to enhance the security of Pennsylvania’s classrooms.
I respectfully invite you to join me as a co-sponsor of the Enhanced Classroom Security Act.

If you have any questions concerning this bill, please contact my Chief of Staff, Donald Beishl (dbeishl@pasen.gov) or my Legislative Director, Aaron Bashir (abashir@pasen.gov) in my office.