2019 -- H 5784 | |
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LC000045 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Donovan, Fellela, McEntee, and | |
Date Introduced: February 28, 2019 | |
Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is |
2 | hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 16-21-3.2. Indoor air quality - Schools. |
4 | (a) The department of health shall establish rules and regulations regarding indoor air |
5 | quality in schools which will do the following: |
6 | (1) Establish an indoor air quality in schools inspection and evaluation program to inspect |
7 | and evaluate the indoor air quality of every public and private elementary and secondary school |
8 | in Rhode Island. |
9 | (2) Set minimum standards for indoor air quality in schools, including standards that |
10 | relate to the following: |
11 | (i) Mold levels in the air; |
12 | (ii) Potential for exposure to bioaerosols; |
13 | (iii) Chemical compounds that affect indoor air quality, including volatile organic |
14 | compounds; |
15 | (iv) Ventilation systems; |
16 | (v) Plumbing, including water distribution systems, drainage systems and fixtures; |
17 | (vi) Building structural elements, including roofing, basements and slabs; |
18 | (vii) The use of space, particularly areas designed to be unoccupied. |
19 | (b) The department of health shall: |
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1 | (1) Inspect each school in Rhode Island each year for compliance with the minimum |
2 | standards adopted under subsection (a) of this section; and |
3 | (2) Report the results of the inspection to: |
4 | (i) Each school's principal; |
5 | (ii) The state department of elementary and secondary education; and |
6 | (iii) The appropriate local school committee. |
7 | (c) If a school does not meet the minimum air quality standards established by the |
8 | department, the school must remedy each air quality problem noted within sixty (60) days after |
9 | the principal receives the report under subsection (b) of this section. |
10 | (d) The department of health is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations |
11 | necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. |
12 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS | |
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1 | This act would direct the department of health to establish an inspection and evaluation |
2 | program and establish rules and regulations regarding air quality in elementary and secondary |
3 | schools. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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