Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, which resulted in $3 billion damage to hospitals, the Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act was amended under SB 1953 (Chapter 740, Statutes of 1994. Seismic Mandate)

The seismic mandate established five structural and five non-structural classifications of hospital building seismic-safety levels, as well as deadlines for some classification upgrades.

The mandate has been amended a number of times since its enactment. To view all legislation that has amended the seismic mandate, go to Facilities Development Division (FDD) Recent Legislation.