HB1489 (2006) Detail

Relative to school emergency response plans.


HB 1489 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

01Feb2006… 0589h

04/06/06 1540s

2006 SESSION

06-2486

04/03

HOUSE BILL 1489

AN ACT relative to school emergency response plans.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hammond, Graf 11

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill requires public and nonpublic schools to develop and implement a site-specific emergency response plan which is based on and conforms to the Incident Command System of the National Incident Management System.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01Feb2006… 0589h

04/06/06 1540s

06-2486

04/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT relative to school emergency response plans.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Subdivision; Emergency Response Plans. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 63 the following new subdivision:

Emergency Response Plans

189:64 Emergency Response Plans.

I. Within 2 years of the effective date of this section, every public and nonpublic school shall develop a site-specific school emergency response plan which is based on and conforms to the Incident Command System of the National Incident Management System. A copy of the plan shall be forwarded to the bureau of emergency management, division of emergency services, communication, and management, department of safety. The plan shall provide that at least 2 of the required number of fire evacuation drills shall be emergency response drills. The plan shall address hazards including acts of violence, threats, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, structural fire, wildfire, internal and external hazardous materials releases, and any other hazard deemed necessary by school officials. The first emergency response drill shall be conducted within one year of the completion of the plan.

II. The plan shall be coordinated with local emergency authorities and with the emergency response plan in the municipality in which the school is located. A school shall review its plan at least annually, and shall update the plan, if necessary. The bureau of emergency management, division of emergency services, communication, and management, department of safety shall assist school districts in conducting training for and providing support to school districts in the development, implementation, and review of an emergency response plan, as may be needed.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

LBAO

06-2486

2/16/06

HB 1489 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to school emergency response plans.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Department of Education has determined this bill, as amended by the House (Amendment #2006-0589h), may increase local expenditures by $189,600 in FY 2007 and $189,600 in FY 2008. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or state and county expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

    The Department of Education states this bill will require public and non-public schools to develop an emergency response plan. Approximately 600 public and non-public schools will be required to have such plans. The cost to schools will mostly be in staff time. The Department estimates 90 schools have no plan, and will need to devote 50 hours of staff time or contract for services to write a plan. Assuming one hour of staff or contracted time costs $50, the cost of a complete plan is estimated at $2,500 (50 hours x $50 per hour). The Department estimates 510 schools have at least a basic plan that may be incomplete or in need of proper formatting, and that on average, the cost to update an exiting plan will be $500 (10 hours x $50 per hour). The total cost to all schools to write conforming school emergency response plans is calculated as follows:

              90 schools x $2,500 = $225,000

              510 schools x $500 = 255,000

              Total $480,000

    The Department states 79% of schools are public and 21% are private, therefore the total cost to local school districts will be $379,200 ($480,000 x 79%). The Department expects the fiscal impact to be spread over two years, with local expenditures increasing $189,600 in FY 2007 and $189,600 in FY 2008.

    The Department expects actual additional local expenditures for school emergency response plans may be less than the above calculation. Most school districts are expected to meet this requirement by assigning responsibilities to existing staff to be performed as part of their regular duties, for which they are already paid. Federal grant money will be available to assist in the process; however, the Department is unable to determine how many school districts will apply for these funds or the amount that will be received.

    The Department of Safety states this bill directs the Bureau of Emergency Management to assist school districts in conducting training and providing support as needed. The Bureau of Emergency Management already has a field agent who provides assistance to school districts when needed, and would continue to do so at no additional cost.