HF 1337

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to housing; requiring carbon monoxide alarms
in all dwellings; providing criminal penalties;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 299F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [299F.50] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin As used in sections 299F.50 to
299F.52, the terms defined in this section have the meanings
given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Installed. new text end

new text begin "Installed" means that an approved
carbon monoxide alarm is hardwired into the electrical wiring,
directly plugged into an electrical outlet without a switch, or,
if the alarm is battery-powered, attached to the wall of the
dwelling.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Single and multifamily dwelling. new text end

new text begin "Single and
multifamily dwelling" means any building or structure which is
wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or
sleeping by human occupants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Dwelling unit. new text end

new text begin "Dwelling unit" means an area
meant for living or sleeping by human occupants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Approved carbon monoxide alarm. new text end

new text begin "Approved
carbon monoxide alarm" means a device meant for the purpose of
detecting carbon monoxide that is certified by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory to conform to the latest
Underwriters Laboratories Standards (known as UL2034 standards).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Operational. new text end

new text begin "Operational" means working and in
service according to manufacturer's directions.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [299F.51] REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE
ALARMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Generally. new text end

new text begin Every single family dwelling
and every dwelling unit in a multifamily dwelling must have an
approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm installed on each
level of the residence and within ten feet of each room lawfully
used for sleeping purposes.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end [OWNER'S DUTIES.] new text begin The owner of a multifamily
dwelling which is required to be equipped with one or more
approved carbon monoxide alarms must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide and install one approved and operational carbon
monoxide alarm on each level of the dwelling and within ten feet
of each room lawfully used for sleeping; and
new text end

new text begin (2) replace any approved carbon monoxide alarm that has
been stolen, removed, found missing, or rendered inoperable
during a prior occupancy of the dwelling unit and which has not
been replaced by the prior occupant prior to the commencement of
a new occupancy of a dwelling unit.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end [OCCUPANT'S DUTIES.] new text begin The occupant of each
dwelling unit in a multifamily dwelling in which an approved and
operational carbon monoxide alarm has been provided and
installed by the owner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) keep and maintain the device in good repair according
to manufacturer's directions; and
new text end

new text begin (2) replace any device that is stolen, removed, missing, or
rendered inoperable during the occupancy of the dwelling unit.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Battery removal prohibited. new text end

new text begin No person shall
remove batteries from, or in any way render inoperable, a
required carbon monoxide alarm.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [299F.52] ENFORCEMENT.
new text end

new text begin A violation of section 299F.50 or 299F.51 subjects the
owner of the single family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, or
dwelling unit to the same penalty and enforcement mechanism
provided for violations of the Uniform Fire Code provided in
section 299F.011, subdivision 6.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective January 1, 2007, for all
newly constructed single family and multifamily dwelling units
and August 1, 2008, for all existing and newly constructed
single family and multifamily dwelling units.
new text end