AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-302, relative to powers and duties of the State Board of Education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-302(a), is amended by adding the following as a new, appropriately designated section:

( )(A) Promulgate, in accordance with Title 4, Chapter 5, rules requiring each local education agency, having a jurisdiction that lies entirely or partially within one hundred (100) miles of the New Madrid Fault Line, to implement earthquake preparedness drills in each of the schools administered by such local education agency. In developing such rules, the Board shall consult and collaborate with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire Marshal. Such rules shall include a model plan for earthquake preparedness drills in schools, and such model plan shall be suitable for adoption and/or modification by affected local education agencies.

(B) Such drills shall be conducted at least twice every school year. A record of all earthquake preparedness drills, including the time and date, shall be kept in the respective schools and shall be made available for review upon request by the Board.

( )(1) The board is urged to promulgate, in accordance with Title 4, Chapter 5, rules requiring each local education agency, having a jurisdiction that lies entirely or partially within one hundred (100) miles of the New Madrid fault line, to implement earthquake preparedness drills in each of the schools administered by such local education agency. If the Board develops such rules, the board shall consult and collaborate with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire marshal. Such rules shall include a model plan for earthquake preparedness drills in schools, and such model plan shall be suitable for adoption and/or modification by affected local education agencies.

(2) If the Board develops such rules, the required drills shall be conducted at least twice every school year. A record of earthquake preparedness drills, including the time and date, shall be kept in the respective schools and shall be made available for review upon request by the Board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.