BILL REQ. #:  S-0303.2 

Read first time 01/21/2003.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to the creation of a statewide first responder building mapping information system; adding new sections to chapter 36.28A RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes the extreme dangers present when the safety of our citizens requires first responders such as police and fire fighters to evacuate and secure a building. In an effort to prepare for responding to unintended disasters, criminal acts, and acts of terrorism, the legislature intends to create a statewide first responder building mapping information system that will provide all first responders with the information they need to be successful when disaster strikes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 36.28A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When funded, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs shall create and operate a statewide first responder building mapping information system.
     (2) All state agencies and local governments must utilize building mapping software that complies with the building mapping software standards established under section 3 of this act for any building mapped after the statewide first responder building mapping information system is operational. All state and local government-owned buildings must be mapped when funding is provided by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, or from other sources. Nothing in this act requires any state agency or local government to map a building unless the entire cost of mapping the building is provided by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, or from other sources.
     (3) Once the statewide first responder building mapping information system is operational, all state and local government buildings that are mapped must forward their building mapping information data to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs. All participating privately, federally, and tribally owned buildings may voluntarily forward their mapping and emergency information data to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs. The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs may refuse any building mapping information that does not comply with the specifications described in section 3 of this act.
     (4) Consistent with the guidelines developed under section 3 of this act, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall electronically make the building mapping information available to all state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies, the military department of Washington state, and fire departments.
     (5) Consistent with the guidelines developed under section 3 of this act, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall develop building mapping software standards that must be used to participate in the statewide first responder building mapping information system.
     (6) The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall pursue federal funds to:
     (a) Create the statewide first responder building mapping information system; and
     (b) Develop grants for the mapping of all state and local government buildings in the order determined under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.28A RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs in consultation with the Washington state emergency management office and the Washington state fire commissioner's office shall convene a committee to establish guidelines related to the statewide first responder building mapping information system. The committee shall have the following responsibilities:
     (1) Develop the type of information to be included in the statewide first responder building mapping information system. The information shall include, but is not limited to: Floor plans, fire protection information, evacuation plans, utility information, known hazards, and text and digital images showing emergency personnel contact information;
     (2) Develop building mapping software standards that must be utilized by all entities participating in the statewide first responder building mapping information system;
     (3) Determine the order in which buildings shall be mapped when funding is received;
     (4) Develop guidelines on how the information shall be made available to first responders. These guidelines shall include detailed procedures and security systems to ensure that the information is only made available to first responders;
     (5) Recommend training guidelines regarding using the statewide first responder building mapping information system to the criminal justice training commission and the Washington state patrol fire protection bureau.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 36.28A RCW to read as follows:
     Units of local government and their employees, as provided in RCW 36.28A.010, are immune from civil liability for damages arising out of the creation and use of the statewide first responder building mapping information system, unless it is shown that an employee acted with gross negligence or bad faith.