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Pennsylvania is on the verge of a significant legislative change that could see every school in the state equipped with full-time armed security personnel. The recent passage of Senate Bill 907, sponsored by Senator Mike Regan (R-31), mandates that all school entities—including school districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools, and private residential rehabilitative institutions—must have trained armed security personnel on-site at all times.
The bill, a culmination of a 12-year effort, offers additional funding to assist schools in hiring these officers. Senator Regan, who has a background as a U.S. Marshal, was motivated to propose this legislation following the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. The tragic event, which occurred shortly after he welcomed a group of fourth graders to the Capitol, underscored for him the urgent need for enhanced school security.
Senate Bill 907 was ultimately amended into Senate Bill 700, the School Code bill, which passed as part of the state budget. The legislation now awaits Governor Josh Shapiro’s potential signature to become law.
