Chapter 234

2007 -- S 1053

Enacted 07/03/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, and Algiere

Date Introduced: May 23, 2007

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-21-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21 entitled “Health and

Safety of Pupils” is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-21-4. Fire drills required -- Failure to comply. – Fire, evacuation and lockdown

drills required -- Failure to comply. (a) It shall be the duty of the principal or other person in

charge of every public school or private school, college, university, or postsecondary institutions

or educational institution within the state, having more than twenty-five (25) pupils, to instruct

and train the pupils by means of drills, so that they may in a sudden emergency be able to leave

school buildings and dormitories in the shortest possible time and without confusion or panic. In

all schools but colleges, universities, or postsecondary institutions, there shall be fifteen (15)

drills or rapid dismissals during the school year, at least eight (8) of which shall be held during

the months of September, October, and November. The remaining seven (7) drills or rapid

dismissals shall be held at the discretion of the principal or person in charge of the school. At

least four (4) drills or rapid dismissals shall be obstructed by means of which at least one or more

exits and stairways in the school building are blocked off or not used and at least two (2) of the

obstructed drills shall be held during the months of September and October. There shall be two

(2) evacuation drills and two (2) lockdown drills included among the fifteen (15) mandatory drills

in each school year. Evacuation drills shall be designed and conducted for use when conditions

outside the school building are safer than conditions inside the building. Lockdown drills shall be

designed and conducted for use to protect school building occupants from potential dangers in the

building.

      (b) (1) In colleges, universities, postsecondary institutions, and residence facilities in

public schools or private schools there shall be at least four (4) drills or rapid dismissals during

the academic year for each school building or residence facility, at least two (2) of which shall be

held between the months of September through December. The remaining two (2) drills shall be

held between the months of January through June. Any college, university, or postsecondary

institution that holds a summer session shall hold a drill or rapid dismissal during the first full

week of the summer session.

      (2) At least one drill or rapid dismissal shall be obstructed so that at least one or more

exits or stairways in the school building or dormitory are blocked off or not used.

      (c) For purposes of this section "residence facility" means dormitory, fraternity, sorority,

or any other type of residence hall, whether on campus or off campus, owned or leased by a

college, university, postsecondary institutions, public schools, or private school with

accommodations for twenty (20) or more students.

      (d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, fire drills shall be required in

colleges or universities only for buildings which are used for a residence facility.

      (e) Neglect by any principal or any person in charge of any public or private school or

educational institution to comply with the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor

punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC03137

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