AN ACT Relating to earthquake safety in public schools; adding new sections to Title 28A RCW; creating new sections; making appropriations; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the Washington state school directors' association, shall by June 30, 1990, develop a model earthquake preparedness policy for use by school districts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Each school district board of directors shall adopt an earthquake policy by December 31, 1991. The policy shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Training all students and school employees in earthquake safety and earthquake hazard mitigation procedures;

(2) A minimum of twice yearly school earthquake drills;

(3) Notifying parents annually of school earthquake procedures;

(4) Coordinating earthquake response with the local office of emergency management and other immediate response organizations, communications organizations, and utilities; and

(5) A plan for identifying and correcting by 1995 nonstructural earthquake hazards in all school district facilities used for school purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall, to the extent funds are available, contract with the Pacific Science Center to provide training to teachers and administrators in earthquake safety and education, and distribute available information and curriculum materials.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The superintendent of public instruction shall work in cooperation with the state building code council, the state department of community development, and the educational service districts, and shall seek assistance from representatives of groups including but not limited to: Educational associations, teachers, parents, community representatives, school boards, and persons with expertise in engineering, health and social services, and insurance, to:

(1) Conduct a needs assessment and compile a listing to include: The number of public school facilities by age and type of construction; the number of public school buildings that have been structurally reviewed for seismic stability by a licensed structural engineer since 1985; the number of school districts that have or plan to implement renovation, repair, or rehabilitation programs and the funding to be used to pay for planned renovations, repairs, or rehabilitation; and the number of school districts with earthquake insurance and the availability of such insurance. Consideration shall also be given to collecting data useful to long-term planning for school construction at the same time;

(2) Analyze the cost of repairs, rehabilitation, or rebuilding necessary for every school building to meet the seismic safety standards published in the latest edition of the state uniform building code;

(3) In consultation with the state building code council and the state department of community development, establish standards for and conduct a structural review of all public school buildings built before 1976, excluding those that have been structurally reviewed for seismic safety by a licensed structural engineer since 1985. All reviews shall be completed by December 31, 1991. The person reviewing the building shall provide the applicable school district superintendent, building principal, and superintendent of public instruction with a written narrative report on the seismic safety of each building reviewed and the remedies for any seismic structural deficiencies identified in accordance with the uniform building code under chapter 19.27 RCW. This report shall be submitted within sixty days of completion of the review;

(4) Set goals and priorities for the state's public school system in connection with earthquake hazard reduction; and

(5) Develop and recommend a plan to implement a comprehensive program of earthquake hazard reduction for the state's common school system.

The superintendent of public instruction shall complete a report of findings under this section by June 30, 1992, and submit the results of findings and any recommendations to the legislature not later than December 1, 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall cooperate with the educational service districts to develop and implement a regionally based program to assist school districts in addressing earthquake preparedness and other safety concerns.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 3 of this act.

(2) The sum of one million six hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 4 of this act.

(3) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.