An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for school safety blueprint requirement.
Summary
HB35 would amend Pennsylvania’s Public School Code to require every school entity to provide law enforcement with current blueprints for each school building and to submit updated blueprints whenever the building layout changes. The requirement applies to a broad range of schools, including public school districts, charter and cyber charter schools, private and nonpublic schools, intermediate units, and area career and technical schools.
The bill is framed as a school safety and security measure. It does not create a new criminal penalty or funding program; instead, it imposes a continuing administrative obligation on schools to maintain and share building plans with the Pennsylvania State Police or the local municipal police department with jurisdiction. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
HB35 would add a new section to the Public School Code of 1949, creating a statewide blueprint-sharing mandate for school entities. In practice, schools would need to keep building floor plans and layout information current and provide those materials to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which could affect facilities management, emergency planning, and compliance procedures across public and private education sectors. The bill would also expand the operational role of police in school safety planning by ensuring they have updated structural information for response and preparedness purposes.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s sponsorship and the absence of recorded opposition, the measure appears to be generally supportive of school safety and emergency preparedness. The bill’s title and structure suggest a straightforward public-safety proposal rather than a controversial policy change. No committee transcript or vote history was provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is privacy and security: schools may be concerned about how detailed building blueprints are stored, shared, and protected from misuse. Some school entities may also view the requirement as an administrative burden, especially if they must repeatedly update plans after renovations or layout changes. On the other hand, supporters are likely to emphasize the value of giving police accurate building information for emergency response, evacuation, and threat mitigation.