USC Subchapter V

15 U.S.C. § 2695 Grants for healthy school environments

(a) In generalThe Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may provide grants to States for use in—(1) providing technical assistance for programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (including the Tools for Schools Program and the Healthy School Environmental Assessment Tool) to schools for use in addressing environmental issues; and (2) development and implementation of State school environmental health programs that include—(A) standards for school building design, construction, and renovation; and (B) identification of ongoing school building environmental problems, including contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions, in the State and recommended solutions to address those problems, including assessment of information on the exposure of children to environmental hazards in school facilities. (b) SunsetThe authority of the Administrator to carry out this section shall expire 5 years after December 19, 2007.

15 U.S.C. § 2695a Model guidelines for siting of school facilities

Not later than 18 months after December 19, 2007, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall issue voluntary school site selection guidelines that account for— (1) the special vulnerability of children to hazardous substances or pollution exposures in any case in which the potential for contamination at a potential school site exists; (2) modes of transportation available to students and staff; (3) the efficient use of energy; and (4) the potential use of a school at the site as an emergency shelter.

15 U.S.C. § 2695b Public outreach

(a) ReportsThe Administrator shall publish and submit to Congress an annual report on all activities carried out under this subchapter, until the expiration of authority described in section 2695(b) of this title. (b) Public outreachThe Federal Director appointed under section 17092(a) of title 42 (in this subchapter referred to as the “Federal Director”) shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the public clearinghouse established under section 17083(1) of title 42 receives and makes available information on the exposure of children to environmental hazards in school facilities, as provided by the Administrator.

15 U.S.C. § 2695c Environmental health program

(a) In generalNot later than 2 years after December 19, 2007, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant agencies, shall issue voluntary guidelines for use by the State in developing and implementing an environmental health program for schools that—(1) takes into account the status and findings of Federal initiatives established under this subchapter or subtitle C of title IV of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 [42 U.S.C. 17091 et seq.] and other relevant Federal law with respect to school facilities, including relevant updates on trends in the field, such as the impact of school facility environments on student and staff—(A) health, safety, and productivity; and (B) disabilities or special needs; (2) takes into account studies using relevant tools identified or developed in accordance with section 492 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 [42 U.S.C. 17122]; (3) takes into account, with respect to school facilities, each of—(A) environmental problems, contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions, including—(i) lead from drinking water; (ii) lead from materials and products; (iii) asbestos; (iv) radon; (v) the presence of elemental mercury releases from products and containers; (vi) pollutant emissions from materials and products; and (vii) any other environmental problem, contaminant, hazardous substance, or pollutant emission that present or may present a risk to the health of occupants of the school facilities or environment; (B) natural day lighting; (C) ventilation choices and technologies; (D) heating and cooling choices and technologies; (E) moisture control and mold; (F) maintenance, cleaning, and pest control activities; (G) acoustics; and (H) other issues relating to the health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of the school facilities; (4) provides technical assistance on siting, design, management, and operation of school facilities, including facilities used by students with disabilities or special needs; (5) collaborates with federally funded pediatric environmental health centers to assist in on-site school environmental investigations; (6) assists States and the public in better understanding and improving the environmental health of children; and (7) takes into account the special vulnerability of children in low-income and minority communities to exposures from contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions. (b) Public outreachThe Federal Director and Commercial Director shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the public clearinghouse established under section 423 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 [42 U.S.C. 17083] receives and makes available—(1) information from the Administrator that is contained in the report described in section 2695b(a) of this title; and (2) information on the exposure of children to environmental hazards in school facilities, as provided by the Administrator.

15 U.S.C. § 2695d Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013, to remain available until expended.