The task force's final report describes the importance of emergency operations plans (EOPs) and challenges with sharing EOPs with law enforcement and first responders. The report also highlights the need to frequently test, evaluate, and revise or update EOPs using formal evaluation criteria or assessments.

The governing body of each school district which can be expected to experience an intensity of ground shaking equivalent to a Modified Mercalli of VII or above from an earthquake occurring along the New Madrid Fault with a potential magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale shall establish an earthquake emergency procedure system in every school building under its jurisdiction. The governing body of each school district shall request assistance from the state emergency management agency and any local emergency management agency located within its district boundaries to develop and establish the earthquake emergency procedure system.

1. The earthquake emergency procedure system shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) A school building disaster plan, ready for implementation at any time, for monitoring the safety and care of students and staff;

(2) An emergency exercise to be held at least twice each school year whereby students and staff simulate earthquake emergency conditions and the procedures for safety and protection to be implemented under such conditions; provided the department of education shall not require any school district to perform more than two earthquake preparedness drills during any one school year;

(3) Protective measures to be taken before, during and following an earthquake; and

(4) A program to ensure that the students and certificated and noncertificated employees of the school district are aware of, and properly trained in, the earthquake emergency procedure system.

2. Each school district shall make available for public inspection during normal business hours its earthquake emergency procedure system.

At the beginning of each school year, each school district in the state shall distribute to each student such materials that have been prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state emergency management agency or by agencies that are authorities in the area of earthquake safety and that provide the following objectives:

(1) Developing public awareness regarding the causes of earthquakes, the forces and effects of earthquakes, and the need for school and community action in coping with earthquake hazards;

(2) Promoting understanding of the impact of earthquakes on natural features and manmade structures; and

(3) Explaining what safety measures should be taken by individuals and households prior to, during and following an earthquake.

The governing body of each school district which is situated in an area of the state which can be expected to experience an intensity of ground shaking of less than VII on the Modified Mercalli scale from an earthquake occurring along the New Madrid Fault with a potential magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale may elect to be subject to the provisions of sections 160.451 to 160.455.

1. The board of education of each school district in this state is authorized to adopt an emergency preparedness plan to address the use of school resources, including school facilities, commodity foods, school buses, and equipment if a natural disaster or other community emergency occurs.

2. The emergency preparedness plan may authorize the superintendent or other designated school officials to approve use of school resources to provide relief to the community if an emergency occurs.

3. Food assistance may be provided using commodities distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture consistent with the Standard for emergency congregate feeding under such program.

4. The use of school resources under this section shall be subject to review by the board of education within thirty days of authorization or as soon as reasonably possible.