STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 477

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed By Senator PALAIA)

ADOPTED: MARCH 18, 1996

      These amendments clarify that the provisions of this bill will require the installation of a carbon monoxide sensor device upon the change of occupancy or the initial occupancy of a dwelling unit. The amendments would provide the Commissioner of Community Affairs with adequate discretion to enforce the bill's provisions through the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119) or the "Uniform Fire Safety Act," P.L.1983, c.383 (C.52:27D-192 et seq.), depending upon the type of dwelling unit being occupied and whether the inspection is being triggered by an initial or a change of occupancy.

      While the amendments would continue to authorize the commissioner to establish a fee to cover the cost of the inspection and certification for a carbon monoxide sensor device, the amendments provide that whenever an inspection and certification is being performed to evidence that a smoke detector has been installed upon the change of occupancy in one or two family structures, the fee provided for complying with that requirement would also cover the costs of complying with this bill.

      The amendments would provide that a carbon monoxide sensor device would have to comply with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 2034 or its equivalent.

      The amendments clarify that use of the term dwelling unit is intended to cover a broad spectrum of types of residences, including but not limited to: houses, townhouses, and units in apartments, condominiums and cooperatives, but specifically excepts those dwellings which contain no apparent source of carbon monoxide.