In an effort to bolster Virginia's strategies for preventing and responding to domestic terrorism, Gov. Mark R. Warner signed into law Wednesday several bills recommended by the Secure Virginia Panel.
The new laws contain measures allowing for improved sharing of information between government entities, new emergency health considerations, criminal background checks for sensitive state and local government positions and a clarified line of succession to the governor.
"The security of our citizens, our economic well-being and the stability of society depend on our ability to adjust to 21st century threats," Warner said in a press statement.
Formed as a part of Warner's Secure Virginia Initiative, the panel consists of 22 members from the state legislature and government agencies, as well as the private sector.
The Sensitive Records Protection Act and its companion bill, the Freedom of Information Act Critical Infrastructure and Vulnerability Assessments, are designed to facilitate communication between state entities and the private sector regarding any threats to critical assets.
"In certain instances, we need to coordinate with the private sector," said Eugene Huang, state deputy secretary of technology. "There is a recognition that large portions of our critical infrastructure are owned by private companies."
Huang, who works for panel member George Newstrom, state secretary of technology, noted that telephone, water and electricity infrastructures all are privately controlled.
The information-sharing legislation enacted by Warner also precludes companies from complying with the FOIA under certain conditions when a threat to their computer or operating systems is detected.
"We live in a new environment," Huang said. "There will always be new threats on the horizon."
Warner also signed three bills addressing health concerns in the time of a possible emergency, including a provision to establish a statewide database of medical practitioners.
Under other approved legislation, trained individuals who are not physicians will be allowed to treat patients with medications in the event of a "widespread medical catastrophe," allowing for more efficient drug distribution from the national pharmaceutical stockpile.
"You can expect that there's no way to anticipate what you need and how much you need it in the middle of a disaster," said Trina Lee, public information manager for the state health department. "There's obviously going to be a high demand for immediate medical attention and a need to prioritize that attention."
Directed by the Centers for Disease Control, the national pharmaceutical stockpile has the capacity to provide on-site medication to a disaster area within 12 hours, Lee said.
"These jobs are focused on early detection of communicable diseases," Lee said, adding that the department currently is working on smallpox threats.
Warner also signed a law protecting health care providers from civil liabilities.
"Doctors responding to terrorist attacks will face circumstances that are simply not contemplated by our current liability laws," he said.
Warner approved another bill requiring annual school safety audits and enacted an executive order to pay state employees a special differential if they are called upon for active duty in the Reserves or National Guard.
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