Pennsylvania school mapping rule

Does Pennsylvania require school floor plans?

Yes, by state rule. Under 22 Pa. Code § 10.24(g), by September 30 each year a school entity (a public school district, intermediate unit, area vocational-technical school or charter school) must assemble emergency information and have it ready for immediate deployment to the Incident Command Post (the on-scene emergency command center). That package must include building blueprints or floor plans, an aerial photo, map or layout of the campus, adjacent properties and surrounding streets, and the locations of command posts. Its purpose is to help local police and fire departments respond to an emergency.

Which schools are covered?

For the rule, a school entity is a public school district, intermediate unit, area vocational-technical school or charter school. The 2026 mapping-contract standards apply only when a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter, cyber charter or regional charter school, or nonpublic school signs a mapping contract paid in whole or in part with state money. The school safety coordinator's tour duty covers a wider list that also includes approved private schools, chartered schools for the deaf or blind, and private residential rehabilitative institutions.

What must the package include?

Besides the floor plans and aerial map, the package must include gas and utility line layouts and shutoff valve locations. It must include fire alarm and sprinkler shutoff locations and procedures.

What standards apply to mapping contracts?

Act 20 of 2026 added Public School Code § 1322-B, on school mapping services (services that create detailed mapping data of school campuses to improve emergency response). Its standards apply to contracts between a school entity or nonpublic school and a mapping provider that are paid for in whole or in part with state money.

After a mapping data breach, the provider must immediately notify the school and any law enforcement agency that holds the data. The section applies only to contracts signed on or after it took effect, and it took effect immediately when Act 20 was approved on July 12, 2026.

Who receives the maps?

Mapping providers must give the maps to authorized law enforcement and emergency responders at no cost, with the school's authorization. Before signing a mapping contract, a school entity subject to § 1319-B must consult and get written approval from each law enforcement agency it has a memorandum of understanding with. A nonpublic school, or a school entity not subject to § 1319-B, must consult and get written approval from the police agency with primary jurisdiction. Separately, every school district must develop an emergency preparedness plan with local emergency management and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. By rule, a school district must also give its emergency preparedness plan to each local police and fire department with jurisdiction.

How often must the maps be updated?

The Incident Command Post package must be assembled and ready by September 30 of each year. The school safety and security coordinator must coordinate a tour of buildings and grounds with police and first responders every two years, or when a building is first occupied or reconfigured.

Are school maps confidential?

School maps and mapping data whose release would risk physical harm or the personal security of students or staff stay confidential and are not public records under the Right-to-Know Law. The Right-to-Know Law also exempts building plans or infrastructure records whose release would expose critical systems.

Is there state funding?

The state's 2026-27 School Safety & Mental Health Grants allow school mapping services as a project activity; applicants that include it will be asked to attest they will comply with § 1322-B. The state's 2026 physical security baseline criteria (guidance) list having the Incident Command Post information ready as a criterion.

What bills are pending?

SB 1390, which would further amend the school mapping services section, was reported as amended from the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and given first consideration on October 19, 2026; it has not passed the Senate. HB 2438, a school mapping standards bill, was referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on April 21, 2026, with no further action. HB 35, a school safety blueprint bill, was referred to the same House committee on January 10, 2025, with no further action.