The Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act

House Bill 156

The Victim 1-13-2012 Home

The Pennsylvania Safe Schools (PASS) Act is proposed legislation to make our commonwealth’s schools safer for all students. Pennsylvania’s school code provides one of the weakest policies in the nation on bullying and harassment in public schools. The PASS Act would give guidance to school districts on bullying, including definitions, reporting, and prevention. Students, teachers, and administrators are currently left without essential protections or resources. This legislation was produced independently by Pennsylvania students working with legislators and education stakeholders in 2011 and is currently being advocated for in Harrisburg. Please, help us make Pennsylvania schools safe for all students.

The PASS Act would:

• Provide prevention and remediation tools for all teachers and school staff on incidents of bullying;
• Establish reporting requirements and accountability so no student is left behind;
• Invite parents and the community to support the adoption of anti-bullying policies;
• Define these protections so students are safe regardless of who they are.

A Smart Policy

Students can only learn when they feel safe. Many current efforts by schools are posters are seen as 'wallpaper' to students. The PASS Act gives teeth to bullying policies so that when bullying is identified, there effective interventions are deployed to can change behaviors.

This is Personal

This legislation is deeply felt. Bullying can severely harm students' development and ability to learn - and can impact the lives of us all. For what should be positive years growing up, can be time spent in fear and silence. School violence can disrupt communities and end lives.

The Tools Needed

The PASS Act provides the tools teachers and administrators need to effectively combat school bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment. With a clear policy in place, school districts can address ways to end violence and promote positive behavior in our schools.

Ask Your State Representative to Co-Sponsor the PASS Act!

Please write and call your State Representative to ask for his or her co-sponsorship of House Bill 156.