HF 4019

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 rental dwellings.

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

Section 1. new text begin DEFINITIONS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin As used in this bill, the terms defined in this section have
the meanings given them.
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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.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rental single and multifamily dwelling. new text end

new text begin "Rental single and multifamily
dwelling" means any building or structure which is rented wholly or partly for use for
living or sleeping by human occupants.
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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.
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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 REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Generally. new text end

new text begin Every rental single family dwelling and every dwelling
unit in a rental 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

new text begin Owner's duties. new text end

new text begin The owner of a rental single or multifamily dwelling
which is required to be equipped with one or more approved carbon monoxide alarms
must:
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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
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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

new text begin Occupant's duties. new text end

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:
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new text begin (1) keep and maintain the device in good repair according to manufacturer's
directions; and
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new text begin (2) replace any device that is stolen, removed, missing, or rendered inoperable
during the occupancy of the dwelling unit.
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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.
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Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective January 1, 2007, for all newly constructed rental single
family and multifamily dwelling units and August 1, 2008, for all existing and newly
constructed rental single family and multifamily dwelling units.
new text end