Pennsylvania SB 259: An Act providing for standards for carbon monoxide alarms in schools; and imposing penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 213
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 259
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, HUGHES, BROWN, COSTA, KANE, PENNYCUICK,
TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA, SAVAL, SCHWANK, MUTH, FARRY AND
SANTARSIERO, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for standards for carbon monoxide alarms in schools;
and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Carbon
Monoxide Alarm Standards in Schools Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Approved carbon monoxide alarm." The term includes:
(1) A single or multiple station carbon monoxide alarm
listed as complying with the approved American National
Standard for Safety for Single and Multiple Station Carbon
Monoxide Alarms (ANSI/UL2034) or a carbon monoxide detector
listed as complying with the approved American National
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Standard for Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
(ANSI/UL2075) installed in accordance with this act.
(2) A device that may be combined with a smoke alarm or
smoke detector if the combined smoke alarm or detector meets
all of the following:
(i) Complies with either of the following:
(A) The approved American National Standard for
Safety for Single and Multiple Station Carbon
Monoxide Alarms (ANSI/UL2034) for carbon monoxide
alarms and the approved American National Standard
for Safety for Single and Multiple Station Smoke
Alarms (ANSI/UL217) for smoke alarms.
(B) The approved American National Standard for
Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
(ANSI/UL2075) for carbon monoxide detectors and the
approved American National Standard for Safety for
Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems (ANSI/UL268)
for smoke detectors.
(ii) Emits an alarm in a manner that clearly
differentiates between detecting the presence of carbon
monoxide and the presence of smoke.
(3) A carbon monoxide detection system that includes
carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances
that are installed and maintained in accordance with the
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) and the
Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720) and are in
compliance with the approved American National Standard for
Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL2075).
"Classroom." A room located in a public school or a
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nonpublic school where one or more students receive instruction.
"Fossil fuel." Coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases and
other petroleum or hydrocarbon products which emit carbon
monoxide as a by-product of combustion.
"Installed." A carbon monoxide alarm that meets one of the
following criteria in accordance with the Standard for the
Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning
Equipment (NFPA 720):
(1) is hardwired into the electrical wiring;
(2) is directly plugged into an electrical outlet
without a switch, other than a circuit breaker; or
(3) if the alarm is powered by battery, is attached to
the wall or ceiling of a school or classroom.
"Nonpublic school." A school, other than a public school, in
which a resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the
compulsory attendance requirements of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, and
which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
"Operational." Working and in service.
"Public school." Any of the following:
(1) A school of a school district.
(2) A charter school.
(3) A regional charter school.
(4) A cyber charter school that provides educational
instruction by any means at one or more centrally located
facilities where students attend the instruction.
"School." A public school or nonpublic school.
Section 3. Administration.
Nothing in this act is intended to modify the authority and
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responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry under
the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the
Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.
Section 4. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
(a) Installation.--A school that uses a fossil-fuel-burning
heater or appliance or has an attached garage must have an
operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide
alarm installed in the vicinity of every classroom that is
located on the same story as the fossil-fuel-burning heater or
appliance or attached garage within 18 months of the effective
date of this section.
(b) Maintenance, repair or replacement.--The governing body
of a school is re