H. B. 2960

                        (By Delegate Lane)

                        [Introduced February 24, 2015; referred to the

                        Committee on Education.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-5-16b, relating to emergency preparedness drills in schools; requiring a three day notice of drills; permitting parents or guardians to refuse participation; and exempting fire drills from notice requirement.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-5-16b, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-5-16b. Emergency preparedness drills.

            County boards of education in conjunction with local emergency response personnel may establish emergency preparedness drills for all schools.

            Emergency preparedness drills may not be conducted unless parents and students are notified three school days prior to the day of the proposed drills. Parents or guardians of students may refuse to allow students to participate in emergency preparedness drills: Provided, That fire drills are exempt from this three day notice requirement.

            NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit county boards of education to develop emergency preparedness drills in schools. The bill requires a three day notice of drills and permits parents or guardians to refuse participation. The bill exempts fire drills from notice requirement.

            §18-5-16b is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.