H-3685.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2847

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      53rd Legislature     1994 Regular Session

By Representatives Romero and J. Kohl

Read first time 01/26/94.  Referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

Requiring newly constructed or modernized school facilities to be aired out before occupancy.

    AN ACT Relating to air quality in newly constructed or modernized school facilities; and amending RCW 70.162.050.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 70.162.050 and 1989 c 315 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The superintendent of public instruction ((may)) shall implement a model indoor air quality program in a school district selected by the superintendent.

    (2) The superintendent shall ensure that the model program includes:

    (a) An initial evaluation by an indoor air quality expert of the current indoor air quality in the school district.  The evaluation shall be completed within ninety days after the beginning of the school year;

    (b) Establishment of procedures to ensure the maintenance and operation of any ventilation and filtration system used.  These procedures shall be implemented within thirty days of the initial evaluation;

    (c) A reevaluation by an indoor air quality expert, to be conducted approximately two hundred seventy days after the initial evaluation; and

    (d) The implementation of other procedures or plans that the superintendent deems necessary to implement the model program.

    (3) The superintendent shall make a report by December 1, 1990, to the appropriate committees of the legislature that includes:

    (a) A summary and evaluation of the model program;

    (b) An evaluation of the adequacy of mechanical ventilation and filtration systems used in public schools; and

    (c) Recommendations to ensure acceptable indoor air quality in all public schools.

(4) The superintendent shall adopt rules to ensure that school districts adequately ventilate newly constructed or modernized school facilities before occupancy to flush-out toxic airborne contaminants emitted from building materials and furniture.

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