FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2008

Senate Bill 256 Requires Public Colleges and Universities to Develop and Keep Current Written Crisis and Emergency Management Plans;
Based on Recommendation of Virginia Tech Review Panel

RICHMOND--Governor Tim Kaine today ceremonial signed into law legislation sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds to require all of Virginia's public institutions of higher learning to adopt and keep current written crisis and emergency management plans. Senate Bill 256 was based on a recommendation of the Virginia Tech review panel and was introduced on behalf of the Governor.

"One of the many lessons we learned in the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech last April was that we can't wait for the best of times to be prepared for the worst of times," said Deeds. "While we all hope and pray a similar tragedy will never befall one of our institutions of higher learning again, the legislation signed by the Governor is an important step to ensure that we are ready."

The Act amends the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-9.2:9 as follows:

§ 23-9.2:9. Institutional crisis and emergency management plan; review required.

The board of visitors or other governing body of each public institution of higher education shall develop, adopt, and keep current a written crisis and emergency management plan. Every four years, each institution shall conduct a comprehensive review and revision of its crisis and emergency management plan to ensure the plan remains current, and the revised plan shall be adopted formally by the board of visitors or other governing body. Such review shall also be certified in writing to the Department of Emergency Management. The institution shall coordinate with the local emergency management organization, as defined by § 44-146.16, to ensure integration into the local emergency operations plan.

Further, the Act requires the Department of Emergency Management to assist institutions, as needed, in developing and updating their response plans.