Bill Text: CT SB00983 | 2011 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Children Affected By Disaster And Terrorism.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-9-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-07-01 - Signed by the Governor [SB00983 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2011-SB00983-Chaptered.html
Substitute Senate Bill No. 983
AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DISASTER AND TERRORISM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) On or before January 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, on planning and activities for children and youth as part of homeland preparedness and emergency response planning for natural disasters, man-made disasters and terrorism. The report shall include provisions that address (1) the distinct health needs of children for purposes of bioterrorism and other public health emergency preparedness, (2) public education and communications for families concerning public safety issues relating to disasters and terrorism, (3) training in safety and security measures and multi-hazard response plans for child care providers, school personnel and personnel in before and after school programs, family homeless shelters, summer camps and juvenile justice system facilities, (4) coordination of school health and mental health strategies, and (5) the amendments to the state civil preparedness plan and program made pursuant to subsection (c) of section 28-5 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Sec. 2. Section 28-5 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The commissioner may make studies and surveys of the manpower, industries, resources and facilities of the state to ascertain the capabilities of the state for civil preparedness and to plan for their most efficient use in time of emergency. The commissioner may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or to a judge of said court if the court is not in session, for a subpoena to compel the attendance of such witnesses or the production of such books, papers, records or documents of individuals, firms, associations or corporations as may be necessary to the effective preparation of the civil preparedness of the state. The court or judge shall, before issuing such subpoena, provide adequate opportunity for the commissioner and the party against whom the subpoena is requested to be heard. No such subpoena shall issue unless the court or judge certifies that the attendance of such witness or the production of such books, papers, records or documents is reasonably necessary to the effective preparation of the civil preparedness of the state and that the commissioner has made reasonable efforts to secure such attendance or such books, papers, records or documents without recourse to compulsory process.
(b) The commissioner shall direct the preparation of a comprehensive plan and program for the civil preparedness of the state and integrate and coordinate that plan and program to the fullest extent possible with the civil preparedness plans of the federal government and of other states. When the plan and program has been prepared, the commissioner shall present it to the Governor for his or her approval. When the Governor approves the plan, all government agencies, state or local, and all civil preparedness forces in the state shall carry out the duties and functions assigned by the plan and program as approved. The plan and program may, from time to time, be amended or modified in like manner. The commissioner shall coordinate the civil preparedness activities of the towns and cities of the state to the end that they shall be fully integrated with the state civil preparedness plan and program.
(c) The Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shall, within available appropriations and in consultation with the Commissioners of Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Education, and the Commission on Children, update and amend the state civil preparedness plan and program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to address the needs of children during natural disasters, man-made disasters and terrorism. The plan may also be amended in consultation with parents, local emergency services and child care providers. The amended plan shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that all schools and licensed and regulated child day care services, as defined in section 19a-77, have written multi-hazard disaster response plans that address (1) the evacuation and removal of children to a safe location, (2) notification of parents in the event of a disaster or terrorism, (3) reunification of parents with their children, and (4) care for children with special needs during a disaster or terrorism.
[(c)] (d) In accordance with the state civil preparedness plan and program, the commissioner shall institute such training programs and public information programs, shall take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of civil preparedness forces in advance of actual disaster, as may be necessary to the prompt and effective operation of the state civil preparedness plan in time of emergency and may, from time to time, conduct such practice blackouts or radio silences as may be authorized by the United States Army or its duly designated agency, and such practice air raid alerts or other civil preparedness exercises as the commissioner may deem necessary.
[(d)] (e) The commissioner shall utilize the personnel, services, equipment, supplies and facilities of existing departments, offices and agencies of the state to the maximum extent possible. The head of each such department, office or agency, in cooperation with and under the direction of the commissioner, shall be responsible for the planning and programming of such activities in the civil preparedness programs as will involve the utilization of the facilities of his or her department, office, institution or agency and shall implement and carry out such activities whenever necessary for the welfare and safety of the state.
[(e)] (f) In order to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, the commissioner may make such orders and such regulations as may be necessary to develop and implement the civil preparedness plan and program. Subject to the provisions of chapter 54, all such orders and regulations shall have the full force and effect of law.