Gov. Tom Wolf has allowed my legislation, House Bill 178, to lapse into law and become the Public School Code of the 2017-18 budget package.

Overall, I am pleased that important measures to allow schools to better prepare for safety and security threats, along with other significant improvements to our educational system.

Our children and their education must be at the forefront when we consider any type of public policy.

I was proud that my legislation became the Public School Code in the final budget package because the legislation now contains so many worthy provisions to help improve the educational process for students all over Pennsylvania.

This legislation enhances important agriculture education programs and directs more resources to instruct our children about the dangers of opioid addiction.

Additionally, this legislation bans “lunch shaming” so hungry children are not denied nutritious lunches at their school.

Although I am disappointed that the governor didn’t outright sign this legislation, I am grateful he didn’t use his veto pen to deny these important resources and protections for our students.

H.B. 178 allows school districts to hold an annual school security drill at their facilities in place of a required monthly fire drill.

School security drills could include many types of planned exercises, including acts of terrorism, armed intruder situations or other violent threats, and may occur while the school is occupied or after hours.

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Editor’s note: State Rep. Gary Day represents the 187th Legislative District, which includes Kutztown, Lyons and Maxatawny Township in Berks County, and Heidelberg, Lowhill, Lynn, North Whitehall, Upper Macungie and Weisenberg townships in Lehigh County.