H509 — An Act relative to the safety of schools, residences, and public assemblies

Summary

An Act relative to the safety of schools, residences, and public assemblies

Bill Text

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The bill establishes the School Carbon Monoxide Safety Trust Fund and implements requirements for carbon monoxide detection systems in schools.

• Chapter 29

  Section 2LLLL. (a) There shall be established and set upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the School Carbon Monoxide Safety Trust Fund, to be expended without prior appropriation, by the department of elementary and secondary education. The fund shall be credited any revenue from appropriations or other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund and any gifts, grants, private contributions, investment income earned on the assets of the fund and all other sources. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee, in consultation with the department of fire safety, shall administer the fund and make expenditures from the fund in the form of grants to public school districts for the installation of carbon monoxide detection systems as required under subsection (a½) of section 26F½ of chapter 148 and regulations promulgated by the board of fire prevention.

  This creates a new fund specifically for school carbon monoxide safety, allowing for grants to be made for detection systems.

• Chapter 70B

  (7) The school project includes a plan for the installation of a carbon monoxide detection system as required under subsection (a½) of section 26F½ of chapter 148.

  This adds a requirement that school projects must include plans for carbon monoxide detection systems.

• Chapter 70B

  The report shall also include an assessment of carbon monoxide detection systems within each school building and each school’s compliance with subsection (a½) of section 26F½ of chapter 148.

  This mandates that reports include evaluations of carbon monoxide safety compliance in schools.

• Chapter 148

  (a½) Each school building that provides public or private education for children in kindergarten through grade 12 that: (1) contains fossil-fuel burning equipment including, but not limited to, a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace or any other apparatus, appliance or device that burns fossil fuel; or (2) incorporates enclosed parking within its structure shall install carbon monoxide alarms under the regulations of the board of fire prevention.

  This requires carbon monoxide alarms in schools with specific conditions, enhancing safety measures.

• Section 7

  Not later than January 1, 2020 and without further appropriation, the state comptroller shall transfer $7,500,000 from the General Fund to the School Carbon Monoxide Safety Trust Fund established in section 2LLLL of chapter 29 of the General Laws.

  This allocates $7,500,000 to the new trust fund for implementing carbon monoxide safety measures.

• Chapter 148

  The state board of building regulations and standards shall adopt as a minimum standard the 2015 International Building Code requirement to install carbon monoxide detection systems in all new or substantially rehabilitated school buildings that provide education for children in kindergarten through grade 12.

  This sets a new standard for installing detection systems in new or remodeled schools.

• Chapter 148

  Notwithstanding subsection (a½) of section 26F½ of chapter 148 of the General Laws, the board of fire prevention shall allow the temporary use of carbon monoxide alarms that are solely battery-powered or that are plug-in with battery back-up.

  This provides flexibility for the type of carbon monoxide alarms that can be temporarily used in schools.

• Section 8

  Not later than March 31, 2020, the department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the department of fire services and the Massachusetts School Building Authority, shall develop best practices that are commensurate with Section 915.2.3 of the 2015 International Building Code for the placement and installation of carbon monoxide detection systems in public school buildings as required by sections 2 and 5 of this act; provided, however, that the best practices shall prioritize student and staff safety as well as cost economy.

  This establishes a timeline for developing best practices for installing carbon monoxide detection systems.

• Section 9

  Section 6 is hereby repealed.

  This repeals an existing provision, indicating a change in previous regulations or requirements.

Sponsors

• Brian M. Ashe · Primary

Subjects