Act 67 - Police and SROs

On July 2, 2019, Act 67 of 2019 (Act 67) was signed into law. Act 67, which took effect August 31, 2019, amended Article XIII-C of the Pennsylvania School Code and made updates to Pennsylvania's school safety laws, specifically regarding the training and credentials required for school resource officers (SROs), school police officers (SPOs), and school security guards.

Act 67 explicitly delineated which personnel a school entity or nonpublic school may authorize to carry firearms. Under Act 67, school entities and non-public schools may only authorize school employees or contractors who meet the definition of "school security personnel"—SPOs, SROs, and school security guards—to carry firearms while performing their school duties. Act 67 does not permit individuals outside of this definition (i.e., teachers) to carry firearms while performing their school duties.

On November 27, 2019, Article XIII-C of the Pennsylvania School Code was amended again through Act 91 of 2019 (Act 91). Act 91, which took effect immediately, extended the time within which SPOs, SROs, and unarmed school security guards who were employed or contracted by a school entity or nonpublic school prior to September 2, 2019 must successfully complete the Basic School Resource Officer Course offered by the National Association of School Resource Officers, or an approved equivalent course of instruction. Under Act 91, such individuals must complete such courses by the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Armed school security guards who were employed or contracted by a school entity or nonpublic school before September 2, 2019 must successfully complete the instruction by February 28, 2020, unless the school entity or non-public school approves an extension of time due to “hardship”. Act 91 also restored provisions that grant SPOs the authority to arrest. Specific details are outlined in more detail below.

The following guidance provides direction to school entities (i.e., school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, charter schools, and private residential rehabilitative institutions) and non-public schools about the training and credentials that are required in order for school security personnel to be armed within the scope of their employment.