REPS. WILD, FITZPATRICK, SEN. CASEY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROTOCOLS IN SCHOOLS

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives Susan Wild (PA-07) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Promoting Responsible Emergency Protocols (PREP) for all Students Act of 2022 to make sure educational institutions are prepared to protect all students -- regardless of age, developmental stage, and ability. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

As communities across the country adapt to the intensifying effects of climate change and face a rise in on-campus violence, safety recommendations for schools and childcare facilities must evolve to integrate the needs of young children and youth with disabilities. During the 2019-2020 school year, 14 percent of public-school students received special education services. Additionally, 2021 was the worst year for on-campus violence since the Columbine shooting in 1999. The PREP for All Students Act would ensure public schools, early childcare education centers, and institutions of higher education have the tools they need to develop inclusive emergency preparedness protocols.

"Little has been done to consider the unique needs of young students, students with disabilities, and students with mental health challenges in campus emergency preparedness planning," said Wild. "As an uptick in extreme weather events, natural disasters, and incidents of school violence threaten the safety of our children, educational institutions -- from Pre-K to college -- must have access to the resources they need to develop comprehensive, trauma-informed emergency preparedness protocols that protect all students should disaster strike. Parents deserve the peace of mind knowing their child will be safe when they drop them off at school in the morning. I'm proud this legislation will create a safer on-campus environment for every single student."

"We must do whatever we can to make sure all students feel safe in school, especially youth with disabilities or other special needs," said Fitzpatrick. "Developing emergency preparedness protocols will ensure that we are proactively protecting our most vulnerable students in times of crisis."

"All students should feel safe and protected in their learning environments," said Senator Casey. "In order to meet the needs of all children -- regardless of age, developmental stage and ability -- we must ensure that young children and students with disabilities are not left out of emergency preparedness protocols. The PREP for all Students Act would do this while supporting schools and child care centers by providing the resources they need to keep young people safe. I will continue to advocate for the needs of children with disabilities, and work to pass this legislation to ensure the safety of all students."

Specifically, the PREP for all Students Act would:

Establish a Federal Advisory Council composed of federal agencies, youth with disabilities and mental health considerations, parents, educators and advocates to develop guidelines and recommendations for the implementation of accessible, developmentally appropriate, culturally aware and trauma-informed emergency preparedness protocols;
Require the Council to submit a report to Congress that includes, but is not limited to, information about trauma-informed preparedness drills, emergency communications, school safety technology and training for educators, early childcare and education staff, administrators and support personnel. This includes training to address racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious and disability implicit biases and training to ensure the nondiscriminatory application of protocols and treatment of students; and
Ensure that schools are provided with accurate information about the needs of specific populations of children, youth and employees during emergency events.

The PREP for All Students Act is supported by the following organizations: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Institute for Childhood Preparedness, National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and Council of Parent and Attorney Advocates (COPAA).

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