IIB 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 729 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 16, 2009 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions AN ACT To help keep students safe on school-run, overnight, off-premises field trips.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as 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.

School Safety plan

(a)

Requirements for local educational agencies

Each local educational agency that receives funds under part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) shall develop and make publicly available a written school safety policy for off-premises, overnight field trips. (b)

Guidance from Secretary of education

Congress encourages the Secretary of Education to provide guidance to local educational agencies described in subsection (a) by taking the steps necessary, such as hosting a conference of interested parties, to assist in developing a model school safety policy that meets the requirements described in such subsection.

Passed the House of Representatives June 15, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.