Emergency Management, Department of; responsibilities of political subdivisions. (HB1999)

Introduced By

Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News) with support from co-patrons Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Centreville), Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), Del. Debra Rodman (D-Henrico), and Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church)

Description

Department of Emergency Management; responsibilities of political subdivisions; provision of emergency preparedness information to individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs. Directs the Department of Emergency Management (the Department) to ensure that training programs and programs of public information and education regarding emergency services and disaster preparedness activities established and operated by state agencies be designed to include and reach individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs. The bill also directs the Department to develop an emergency response plan to (i) address the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs in the event of a disaster, including the provisions of competent interpretation services and translated documents, and (ii) assist and coordinate with local agencies in developing a similar emergency response plan for individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs. The bill requires that every local and interjurisdictional emergency management agency include in its emergency operations plan provisions to ensure that adequate and timely emergency relief assistance, including competent interpretation services and translated documents, is provided to individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs. The bill requires that the governing body of each locality that is required to establish an alert and warning plan for the dissemination of adequate and timely warning to the public in the event of an emergency or threatened disaster ensure that such alert and warning plan provides adequate and timely warning to individuals with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History