(1) The department, in cooperation with the department of social and health services, the department of health, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and local health districts, shall assist schools and child care facilities west of the crest of the Cascade mountains to reduce the potential for children’s exposure to area-wide soil contamination.

(2) The department shall:

(a) Identify schools and child care facilities that are located within the central Puget Sound smelter plume based on available information;

(b) Conduct qualitative evaluations to determine the potential for children’s exposure to area-wide soil contamination;

(c) If the qualitative evaluation determines that children may be routinely exposed to area-wide soil contamination at a property, conduct soil samples at that property by December 31, 2009; and

(d) If soil sample results confirm the presence of area-wide soil contamination, notify schools and child care facilities regarding the test results and the steps necessary for implementing best management practices.

(3) If a school or a child care facility with area-wide soil contamination does not implement best management practices within six months of receiving written notification from the department, the superintendent or board of directors of a school or the owner or operator of a child care facility must notify parents and guardians in writing of the results of soil tests. The written notice shall be prepared by the department.

(4) The department shall recognize schools and child care facilities that successfully implement best management practices with a voluntary certification letter confirming that the facility has successfully implemented best management practices.

(5) Schools and child care facilities must work with the department to provide the department with site access for soil sampling at times that are the most convenient for all parties.