US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 4020

Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter:
(1)
The term “asbestos” means—
(A)
chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite; or
(B)
in fibrous form, tremolite, anthophyllite, or actinolite.
(2)
The term “Attorney General” means the Attorney General of the United States.
(3)
The term “threat” or “hazard” means that an asbestos material is friable or easily damaged, or within reach of students or employees or otherwise susceptible to damage (including damage from water, vibration, or air circulation) which could result in the dispersal of asbestos fibers into the school environment.
(4)
The term “local educational agency” means—
(A)
section 7801 of this title any local educational agency as defined in ; and
(B)
the governing authority of any nonprofit elementary or secondary school.
(5)
The term “nonprofit elementary or secondary school” means—
(A)
section 7801 of this title any elementary school or secondary school as defined in owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; and
(B)
any school of any agency of the United States.
(6)
The term “school buildings” means—
(A)
structures suitable for use as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, school eating facilities, or facilities used for the preparation of food;
(B)
any gymnasium or other facility which is specially designed for athletic or recreational activities for an academic course in physical education;
(C)
other facilities used for the instruction of students, for research, or for the administration of educational or research programs; and
(D)
maintenance, storage, or utility facilities essential to the operation of the facilities described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of this paragraph.
(7)
The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Administrator’s designee.
(8)
The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
(9)
section 2642(11) of title 15 The term “response action” has the meaning given such term by .

Pub. L. 98–377, title V, § 51198 Stat. 1294Pub. L. 101–637104 Stat. 4592Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 394(c)108 Stat. 4027Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1076l115 Stat. 2092Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(dd)(2)129 Stat. 2173(, , ; , §§ 10, 14(a)(11), (c)(6), , , 4594, 4596; , , ; ()(2), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(dd)(2)(A)section 7801 of this title2015—Par. (4)(A). , added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: “any local educational agency as defined in ; and”.

Pub. L. 114–95, § 9215(dd)(2)(B)section 7801 of this titlePar. (5)(A). , added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: “any elementary or secondary school as defined in owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; and”.

Pub. L. 107–110, § 1076lsection 7801 of this titlesection 8801 of this titlePub. L. 103–382, § 394(c)(1)2002—Par. (4)(A). ()(2)(A), which directed amendment of subpar. (A) by substituting in the original “9101” for “198(a)(10)”, was executed by substituting “” for “”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress and prior amendment by , which had substituted “14101” for “198(a)(10)” in the original. See 1994 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 107–110, § 1076lsection 7801 of this titlesection 8801 of this titlePub. L. 103–382, § 394(c)(2)Par. (5)(A). ()(2)(B), which directed amendment of subpar. (A) by substituting in the original “9101” for “198(a)(7)”, was executed by substituting “” for “”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress and prior amendment by , which had substituted “14101” for “198(a)(7)” in the original. See 1994 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 103–382, § 394(c)(1)section 8801 of this title1994—Par. (4)(A). , substituted “” for “section 198(a)(10) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965”.

Pub. L. 103–382, § 394(c)(2)section 8801 of this titlePar. (5)(A). , substituted “” for “section 198(a)(7) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965”.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(a)(11)1990—, (c)(6)(A), inserted section catchline and substituted “this subchapter:” for “this subchapter—”.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(B)Pars. (1), (2). , (C), substituted “The” for “the” at beginning and a period for semicolon at end.

Pub. L. 101–637Par. (3). , §§ 10(1), 14(c)(6)(B)–(D), substituted “The” for “the” at beginning and a period for semicolon at end, struck out “each” before “reach of students”, and inserted “, vibration,” after “damage from water”.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(B)Par. (4). , (C), substituted “The” for “the” at beginning and a period for semicolon at end.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(E)Par. (5). , which directed the insertion of “secondary” before “school”, was executed by making the insertion in the introductory provisions to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(B), (C), substituted “The” for “the” at beginning and a period for semicolon at end.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(B)Pars. (6), (7). , (C), substituted “The” for “the” at beginning and a period for semicolon at end.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 14(c)(6)(B)Par. (8). , substituted “The” for “the” at beginning.

Pub. L. 101–637, § 10(2)Par. (9). , added par. (9).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–95section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95section 6301 of this titleAmendment by effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–110section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110section 6301 of this titleAmendment by effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

section 1681 of Title 48For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding , Territories and Insular Possessions.