§ 16-21-4 - Fire, evacuation and lockdown drills required – Failure to comply.
SECTION 16-21-4
§ 16-21-4 Fire, evacuation and lockdowndrills required – Failure to comply. – (a) It shall be the duty of the principal or other person in charge of everypublic school or private school, college, university, or postsecondaryinstitutions or educational institution within the state, having more thantwenty-five (25) pupils, to instruct and train the pupils by means of drills,so that they may in a sudden emergency be able to leave school buildings anddormitories in the shortest possible time and without confusion or panic. Inall schools but colleges, universities, or postsecondary institutions, thereshall be fifteen (15) drills or rapid dismissals during the school year, atleast eight (8) of which shall be held during the months of September, October,and November. The remaining seven (7) drills or rapid dismissals shall be heldat the discretion of the principal or person in charge of the school. At leastfour (4) drills or rapid dismissals shall be obstructed by means of which atleast one or more exits and stairways in the school building are blocked off ornot used and at least two (2) of the obstructed drills shall be held during themonths of September and October. There shall be two (2) evacuation drills andtwo (2) lockdown drills included among the fifteen (15) mandatory drills ineach school year. Evacuation drills shall be designed and conducted for usewhen conditions outside the school building are safer than conditions insidethe building. Lockdown drills shall be designed and conducted for use toprotect school building occupants from potential dangers in the building.
(b) In colleges, universities, postsecondary institutions,and residence facilities in public schools or private schools there shall be atleast four (4) drills or rapid dismissals during the academic year for eachschool building or residence facility, at least two (2) of which shall be heldbetween the months of September through December. The remaining two (2) drillsshall be held between the months of January through June. Any college,university, or postsecondary institution that holds a summer session shall holda drill or rapid dismissal during the first full week of the summer session.
(2) At least one drill or rapid dismissal shall be obstructedso that at least one or more exits or stairways in the school building ordormitory are blocked off or not used.
(c) For purposes of this section "residence facility" meansdormitory, fraternity, sorority, or any other type of residence hall, whetheron campus or off campus, owned or leased by a college, university,postsecondary institutions, public schools, or private school withaccommodations for twenty (20) or more students.
(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, firedrills shall be required in colleges or universities only for buildings whichare used for a residence facility.
(e) Neglect by any principal or any person in charge of anypublic or private school or educational institution to comply with theprovisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine notexceeding five hundred dollars ($500).