SECTIONS 35295-35297 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 35295-35297

35295. The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) Because of the generally acknowledged fact that California
will experience moderate to severe earthquakes in the foreseeable
future, increased efforts to reduce earthquake hazards should be
encouraged and supported.
(b) In order to minimize loss of life and disruption, it is
necessary for all private elementary schools and high schools to
develop school disaster plans and specifically an earthquake
emergency procedure system so that pupils and staff will act
instinctively and correctly when an earthquake disaster strikes.
(c) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
article to authorize the establishment of earthquake emergency
procedure systems in kindergarten and grades 1 through 12 in all
private schools in California.

35296. The governing board of each private school shall establish
an earthquake emergency procedure system in every private school
building under its jurisdiction having an occupant capacity of 50 or
more pupils or more than one classroom. A governing board may work
with the California Emergency Management Agency and the Seismic
Safety Commission to develop and establish the earthquake emergency
procedure systems.

35297. The earthquake emergency procedure system shall include, but
not be limited to, all of the following:
(a) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at
any time, for maintaining the safety and care of students and staffs.
(b) A drop procedure. As used in this article, "drop procedure"
means an activity whereby each student and staff member takes cover
under a table or desk, dropping to his or her knees, with the head
protected by the arms, and the back to the windows. A drop procedure
practice shall be held at least once each school quarter in
elementary schools and at least once a semester in secondary schools.
(c) Protective measures to be taken before, during, and following
an earthquake.
(d) A program to ensure that the students and that both the
certificated and classified staff are aware of, and properly trained
in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.