I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 729 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 27, 2009 Mr. Rothman of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To help keep students safe on school-run, overnight, off-premises field trips.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Phylicia’s Law.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Students achieve their full academic potential when they have the ability to learn in a safe and secure environment. (2)Off-campus school trips comprise an integral part of the educational experience for our Nation’s students. Each year millions of students enjoy these trips, which provide them with invaluable learning opportunities outside the classroom. (3)There exists no Federal law requiring public schools to develop safety plans for off-premises, overnight, school-sponsored trips.

3.

Student safety on field trips

Section 4114(d)(7) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7114(d)(7) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; (2)in subparagraph (E), by adding and at the end; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (F)an assurance that— (i)before every off-premises, overnight field trip, a written safety plan is developed by the school sponsoring the trip and provided to the parents of the children concerned; and (ii)each such safety plan shall include, at a minimum— (I)policies on curfews, room checks, and chaperone qualifications; and (II)emergency procedures to be followed in the case of serious injury or death;.