20-7-1101. School district emergency plans in seismic risk zones. (1) School districts in counties within the following seismic risk zones shall establish and implement earthquake emergency plans and procedures as provided in subsections (2) and (3):
     (a) seismic risk zone 3, subject to major earthquake damage: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Meagher, Park, Powell, and Silver Bow Counties;
     (b) seismic risk zone 2, subject to moderate earthquake damage: Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Flathead, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Judith Basin, Lake, Liberty, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Ravalli, Sanders, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, and Wheatland Counties; and
     (c) seismic risk zone 1, subject to minor earthquake damage: Big Horn, Blaine, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, and Yellowstone Counties.
     (2) A school district in seismic risk zone 3 shall establish and implement an earthquake emergency plan and procedures, in cooperation with the disaster and emergency services division of the department of military affairs and the superintendent of public instruction, that include:
     (a) protective measures to be taken before, during, and following an earthquake;
     (b) assurance that the students and staff of the district are aware of and properly trained in earthquake emergency procedures; and
     (c) the practice of at least four earthquake drills during the pupil-instruction days of a school fiscal year, including:
     (i) practice of the drills at varying times of the school day;
     (ii) practice by the staff and students of the proper protective positions; and
     (iii) full evacuation of the school at least twice during the pupil-instruction days of a school fiscal year.
     (3) School districts in seismic risk zones 1 and 2 are advised to establish and implement earthquake emergency plans and procedures.
     (4) The disaster and emergency services division of the department of military affairs and the superintendent of public instruction shall assist the school districts in the state to develop and implement earthquake emergency plans and procedures.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 534, L. 1991.