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The Weekly Roundup
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Grant Program to Help Schools Fund Safety Improvements
As part of the 2018-19 state budget package, a $60 million block grant program will allow schools to apply for grants to be used for a variety of safety and security enhancements.
The program is designed so that schools have maximum flexibility to use the funding to meet their own specific needs. Any school to apply will automatically receive $25,000.
Those needs could include hiring school police officers, school resource officers, counselors and/or mental health counselors; alternative education and diversion programs; violence prevention initiatives; school safety and emergency preparedness plans; or physical upgrades to school buildings and equipment to improve safety.
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Hotline Created to Encourage Threat Reporting
To help prevent violent incidents, an individual will soon be able to submit an anonymous report via a phone, computer or smartphone app through the new Safe2Say program.
Under Act 44 of 2018, the new tip line would allow students, teachers and community residents to anonymously report any unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in schools.
The tip line, administered by the Office of Attorney General, will be staffed by trained professionals who can appropriately respond to the situation and provide the reporter peace of mind that their concern will be addressed.
It is modeled after the Safe2Tell program in Colorado, which has received more than 30,000 reports since its inception in 2004, including reports of a planned school attack, suicidal threats and child abuse.
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New Law to Enhance School Safety
As a way to give school officials more guidance in creating safer schools, Act 44 of 2018 also calls for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to offer a uniform approach to evaluating current security measures in every school building in Pennsylvania.
It will also require schools to provide employees with mandatory training on school safety and security, and mandate school security drills to be held in each school annually.
A final component of the new law will allow public school entities, such as school boards, to go into private, executive session for school safety discussions. This will allow school officials to freely debate and develop security plans that address the needs of their schools without disclosing their plans to would-be attackers.
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Offices Closed for July Fourth Holiday
My offices will be closed from 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, through Wednesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. They will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 5.
I hope everyone has a joyous and fun-filled Independence Day on July 4. Please also be safe in your travels and celebrations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will close its driver license service centers on Wednesday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
If you are traveling, check out 511pa.com, which is free and available 24 hours a day. The site, along with its Twitter handle @511pa, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.
State forms and legislative information are always available at RepHeffley.com.
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New Fireworks Law in Effect for Independence Day
Pennsylvanians celebrating Independence Day in Pennsylvania will have more options for purchasing fireworks, thanks to a new law passed last fall.
Under the new law, consumers can now purchase and use “Class C” or “consumer-grade” fireworks that include firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material. The expansion includes those fireworks that were previously only available to out-of-state residents.
“Display fireworks,” which are classified as including salutes that contain more than 2 grains or 130 milligrams of explosive materials, and professional-grade aerial shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, are still only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display will take place.
Several restrictions are in place regarding where fireworks can be ignited or discharged, including having express permission of the property owner. Fireworks cannot be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building, toward a motor vehicle or building or within 150 feet of an occupied structure. Also, it is recommended to check on any applicable local ordinances.
Anyone 18 years or older can purchase fireworks. They are legal to be sold at any licensed facility, including temporary ones. These temporary structures can sell fireworks between the dates of June 15-July 8, and Dec. 21-Jan. 2 each year.
For more information on the law and fireworks, click here.
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Congrats, Eagle Scout
Congratulation to Mark Sitch of Boy Scout Troop 007 on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. This is no easy task and Mark, like all Eagle Scouts, has earned this badge through hard work and determination. Way to go, Mark.
I’m pictured with Mark and Weatherly Mayor Tom Connors.
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| Office Locations |
| 110 North Third Street, 2nd Floor, Lehighton, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 403 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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