App.A:9-43.10 Appointment of commission.
3. a. The director, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Human Services, shall appoint a commission comprised of experts from each department as well as experts from private nonprofit organizations, which shall include, but not be limited to, the American Red Cross, that shall be authorized to:
(1) identify appropriate elementary and secondary school buildings that may serve as adequate locations for temporary emergency shelter during an emergency; and
(2) identify specific locations that may serve as long term emergency shelters, during an emergency, for the benefit of individuals who have been displaced from their residence for an extended period of time as a result of that emergency or local disaster emergency.
b. Following the effective date of this act, all elementary and secondary school buildings to be newly constructed shall be evaluated during the planning or design phase and a determination shall be made considering all appropriate factors including, but not limited to, the suitability, necessity, and financial feasibility, as to whether that elementary or secondary school building may serve as a potential location for an emergency shelter during a declared state of emergency.
L.2011, c.178, s.3.