ASSEMBLY HOUSING COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2881

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 1, 1997

      The Assembly Housing Committee reports favorably, with committee amendments, Assembly Bill No. 2881.

      This bill, as amended, would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to prepare an informational pamphlet on the dangers of the presence of carbon monoxide in residential dwelling units including suggestions for minimizing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The bill also requires the commissioner, in coordination with the Fire Safety Commission created pursuant to section 5 of P.L. 1983, c.382 (C.52:27D-25e), to initiate a public service campaign to warn the public of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in residential dwellings. The campaign is to include distribution of the pamphlet in a manner calculated to reach a large segment of the population. The commissioner is to coordinate with the Board of Public Utililities to utilize such techniques that are conducive to the goal of the campaign.

      The Fire Safety Commission is asked to enlist the support of local fire companies across the State, as well as any other appropriate private fire prevention associations or organizations, in carrying out the campaign.

      The commissioner is permitted to delegate the distribution of the pamphlets to local governments. The public service campaign is to include advertising of the availability of the pamphlets.

      The committee amended the bill to require coordination of the campaign with the Fire Safety Commission and the Board of Public Utilities and deleted the appropriation from the bill.