Bill Text: VA HB1753 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: School buildings; electronic room partitions.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 30-2)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-12 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0369) [HB1753 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-HB1753-Enrolled.html

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact §22.1-138 of the Code of Virginia, relating to school buildings; electronic room partitions.
[H 1753]
Approved

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §22.1-138 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§22.1-138. Minimum standards for public school buildings.

A. The Board of Education shall prescribe by regulation minimum standards for the erection of or addition to public school buildings governing instructional, operational, health and maintenance facilities where these are not specifically addressed in the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

B. By July 1, 1994, every school building in operation in the Commonwealth shall be tested for radon pursuant to procedures established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for radon measurements in schools.

School buildings and additions opened for operation after July 1, 1994, shall be tested for radon pursuant to such EPA procedures and regulations prescribed by the Board of Education pursuant to subsection A of this section. Each school shall maintain files of its radon test results and make such files available for review. The division superintendent shall report radon test results to the Department of Health.

C. No school employee shall open or close an electronic room partition in any school building unless (i) no student is present in such building, (ii) (a) no student is present in the room or area in which such partition is located and (b) such room or area is locked or otherwise inaccessible to students, or (iii) such partition includes a safety sensor that automatically stops the partition when a body passes between the leading edge and a wall, an opposing partition, or the stacking area.

D. Any annual safety review or exercise for school employees in a local school division shall include information and demonstrations, as appropriate, regarding the provisions of subsection C.

E. The Department of Education shall make available to each school board model safety guidance regarding the operation of electronic room partitions.

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