Act 538 of 2007 enacted by the Arkansas legislature expands the authorities and responsibilities of school districts with regard to ensuring regular fire inspections are conducted in all public schools. The act makes it more incumbent upon school district superintendents to ensure that buildings are inspected twice a year and to ensure the safety of all occupants, to a high standard. The law places the responsibility for the inspection request, correction of deficiencies, notification to State Fire Marshall and Quorum Courts, and corrective actions on the superintendent of the school district to ensure that agencies associated with the fire inspection process adhere to the tenet of the law.
Attention is directed specifically to that portion of the Act which outlines the procedures that must be taken by a school district superintendent, if upon request, the fire inspections are not performed or are not performed in a timely manner. Attention is also directed to actions that must be taken with regard to the notification of the State Fire Marshall and the local Quorum Court regarding fire inspection proceedings and correction of deficiencies.