DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 107

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEALTHY SCHOOLS INDOOR ENVIRONMENT PORTAL.

WHEREAS, providing a safe and vibrant school environment is one of the most critical elements for students to learn, flourish, and develop; and

WHEREAS, recent concerns over both school indoor environment and safety have lead the local school districts and the Division of Public Health to conduct indoor air quality surveys; and

WHEREAS, the local school districts and the Division of Public Health have identified a need to leverage resources for schools to better address indoor environmental health and safety across the State; and

WHEREAS, identifying these resources and improving collaboration between the Division of Public Health, the Department of Education, and the local school districts will better address potential environmental and safety concerns across the districts.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Part I of Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Chapter 43. Healthy Schools Indoor Environment Portal.

§ 4301. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Indoor environment” means the overall potential health factors within a specific school, including air quality, mold levels, and other potentially harmful toxins.

§ 4302. Collaboration with Local School Districts.

The Division of Public Health and the Department of Education shall collaborate with local school districts to identify information and technical resources to guide schools in improving the indoor environment.

§ 4303. Indoor Environment Portal.

The Division of Public Health shall provide technical expertise and information support to local school districts in addressing indoor environment concerns by establishing an information portal on the Delaware Health and Social Services website.

§4304. Notification to School Districts.

The Department of Education shall provide notification to local school districts of the newly created portal at least once per school year.

SYNOPSIS

This bill requires the Division of Public Health and the Department of Education to collaborate with local school districts to find ways to help improve the indoor environment in schools. The bill also requires the Division of Public Health to establish an online portal on the DHSS website through which it will provide technical expertise and exchange information with local school districts in order to help improve the air quality and overall indoor environment in schools. The bill also requires the Department of Education to notify local school districts of the portal every year.

Author: Senator Hansen