Stockpile of Essential Materials Distribution

The state maintains a stockpile of essential materials (stockpile), including personal protective equipment, that the division of homeland security and emergency management (division), in consultation with the department of public health and environment, is authorized to distribute in response to a declared disaster emergency to any state agency, school, local public health agency, hospital, primary care provider, other health-care provider, or any other entity or individual (eligible recipient) that the director of the division (director) determines is in need as a result of a declared disaster emergency. The bill broadens the authority of the director over the stockpile so that the director or the director's designee may distribute essential materials from the stockpile:

• Without formal consultation with the department of public health and environment; and
• After the governor has declared a disaster emergency;
• When the director or the director's designee determines that there are other circumstances in which there is a need for or benefit to distribution; or
• When the director or the director's designee determines that their distribution will enhance the ability of eligible recipients and their community partners to respond to future disaster emergencies or other circumstances in a way that would help protect public health or safety, including the distribution of essential materials for the purposes of ensuring that they can be used in normal, nonemergency times before their useful life ends. While included under current law as "any other entity", the bill also explicitly adds "nonprofit organizations" and "faith-based organizations" to the statutory list of eligible recipients.

The bill also requires the department of public safety to annually include, as part of its presentation during its "SMART Act" hearing, specified information concerning the acquisition of essential materials for and distribution of essential materials from the stockpile.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)