HARRISBURG – In a step toward ensuring safety for students and teachers, the PA House Communications & Technology Committee held a hearing in Harrisburg on legislation that would require schools to consider having silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms during the annual review of their safety and security practices. Under House Bill 634, the alarms would be linked directly with law enforcement and signal a life-threatening emergency. Alarms in classrooms would create faster response times during emergency situations. Bill supporters say the legislation would be another step towards ensuring our schools have the resources needed to maximize the safety of all people. Testifiers at the hearing included school officials and law enforcement personnel. If the bill passes, PA would join Florida, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Texas, which have enacted similar measures.
