Bill would require anti-violence training

Would apply to sixth- to 12th-grade students and staff

A new bill that would require Pennsylvania schools to provide anti-violence and suicide prevention training for students and staff has been introduced in the state House of Representatives.

House Bill 2873, known as the Safety and Violence

Education for Students (SAVE Students) Act, was introduced Sept. 16 by Rep. Karen Boback, a Lackawana County Republican.

“As a former educator, I understand the importance of ensuring students and teachers have access to high-quality resources they can readily integrate into the everyday learning experience,” Boback said.

“House Bill 2873 ensures all Pennsylvania students are able to learn and grow in environments that are inclusive, supportive and free of violence.”

The bill would require that all students in grades six through 12 and staff who work in schools that serve those students receive at least one hour of training each year in suicide and violence awareness and prevention.

That training would consist of evidence-based programming that teaches how to combat social isolation and build inclusive community; identify the signs and signals of interpersonal violence and suicide; and how to reach out for help.

The effort to mandate the training has been pushed by Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit group based in Newtown, Conn., and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“We know school violence is preventable when we teach youth and adults to know the signs of violence and suicide and get help to stop a tragedy before it happens,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise. “This legislation would protect all Pennsylvania’s students and create a national model for prevention that empowers our youth to help save lives.”

Barden’s son, Daniel, was killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

The SAVE

Students

Act, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat, has been referred to the House Education Committee.

For more information on Sandy Hook Promise visit w w w.sandyhookpromise. org.