(a) The Legislature finds and declares that hazardous substances, as defined in Section 25316 of the Health and Safety Code, are an integral part of daily life, and that some substances, which are routinely found in and around homes, present potential hazards to the public and to the environment because of the lack of public awareness and education on the hazards of these substances and because of the lack of safe disposal options for hazardous substances from households.
(b) The Legislature, therefore, finds that hazardous substances education programs in the public schools would serve a beneficial purpose by fostering in students an understanding of their role in protecting the environment, and in safeguarding themselves from other health and safety dangers which may be posed by hazardous substances.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department provide school districts with information concerning the availability of educational materials and curricula on hazardous substances.
(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 574, Sec. 1.)