The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Most of California is subject to potentially devastating, large-magnitude earthquakes.

(b) Earth scientists estimate that there is a greater than 50-percent probability that one or more damaging earthquakes will occur in California between now and the end of the century.

(c) Not all students of private schools enjoy the same or equivalent earthquake safety as is afforded to students of public schools by the Field Act and other legislation.

(d) Modifications of building design, plan checking, and inspection procedures can offer increased protection to private school students.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 277, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998.)