A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 25-1-420, relating to THE DUTIES AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, so as to REQUIRE THE DIVISION TO ENSURE ALL EMERGENCY SHELTERS OPENED DURING DECLARED EMERGENCIES OR EVACUATIONS ARE STAFFED AND EQUIPPED WITH SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL AND SUPPLIES TO MAINTAIN CONTINUOUS SHELTERING OPERATIONS BASED ON EACH SHELTER'S MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY FOR THE PREDICTED DURATION OF THE EMERGENCY OR EVACUATION PERIOD.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 25-1-420 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 25-1-420.   (A) There is established within the office of the Adjutant General the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

   (B) The division must be administered by a director appointed by the Adjutant General, to serve at his pleasure, and such additional staff as may be employed or appointed by the Adjutant General.

   (C) The division is responsible for the implementation of the following:

      (a)(1) coordinating the efforts of all state, county, and municipal agencies and departments in developing a State Emergency Plan;

      (b)(2) conducting a statewide preparedness program to assure the capability of state, county, and municipal governments to execute the State Emergency Plan;

      (c)(3) establishing and maintaining a State Emergency Operations Center and providing support of the state emergency staff and work force;

      (d)(4) establishing an effective system for reporting, analyzing, displaying, and disseminating emergency information; and

      (e)(5) establishing an incident management system incorporating the principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) that provides for mitigation, preparedness, response to, and recovery from all man-made and natural hazards; and

      (6) ensuring all emergency shelters opened during declared emergencies or evacuations are staffed and equipped with sufficient personnel and supplies to maintain continuous sheltering operations based on each shelter's maximum occupancy for the predicted duration of the emergency or evacuation period.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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