Pennsylvania legislature passes statewide school weapon incident notification bill awaiting governor's approval

Pennsylvania's Senate Bill 246, sponsored by Senators Jarrett Coleman and Christine Tartaglione, has passed both chambers of the state legislature and is awaiting Governor Josh Shapiro's signature. The bipartisan bill mandates that parents, guardians, and school staff be notified within 24 hours of any weapons incidents on school property or at school-sponsored events, applying to all public, nonpublic, charter, and cyber schools. Previously, schools were only required to notify law enforcement and the Department of Education, and parents were often informed only through police reports or news, leading to concerns about transparency and safety. The bill does not disclose the identity of the student involved to the public but ensures relevant school personnel are informed. While the measure received overwhelming support, some lawmakers expressed concerns about causing unnecessary fear among parents. Proponents emphasize that the legislation builds trust and transparency, ensuring parents have peace of mind about their children's safety at school.