HCS HB 952 & 674 -- LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND SPRINKLER
SYSTEM INSTALLERS

SPONSOR:  Bruns (Wilson, 130)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Crime
Prevention and Public Safety by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute requires all long-term care facilities licensed
by the Department of Health and Senior Services to install and
maintain approved sprinkler systems in accordance with the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) by August 28, 2007.
Residential care facilities and certain single-story assisted
living facilities and skilled nursing facilities that were
initially licensed and had approved sprinkler systems installed
prior to August 28, 2007, must comply with the current
regulations by August 28, 2012, when the facilities must comply
with NFPA 13, National Electric Code.  All long-term care
facilities must also be equipped with a complete fire alarm
system upon licensure or August 28, 2009, whichever comes first.
Each floor of any facility must also be divided by two one-hour
rated smoke-stop partitions.

The department may require employees and contract personnel of
any long-term care facility to be awake, dressed, and prepared to
assist residents in case of an emergency and the facility to have
an emergency preparedness plan.

The Electrician/Sprinkler System Installer Statewide
Qualification Commission, which expires July 1, 2008, is
established to study and review the development of a statewide
standard for persons practicing as electricians and persons
installing or inspecting sprinkler systems.  Members of the
commission will include the directors of the departments of
Health and Senior Services, Economic Development, and Public
Safety and persons appointed by the Governor including one
individual who has been practicing as an electrician for the
preceding five years, one individual who has been practicing as a
sprinkler system installer or inspector for the preceding five
years, a member of a local jurisdiction for electricians or
sprinkler system installers, two representatives from the
relevant skill trade organizations, and one public citizen.  The
commission must submit a report to the Governor and General
Assembly with recommendations in support of or opposition to
statewide standards by July 1, 2008.

The substitute also creates the Fire Safety Standards Loan Fund
to assist facilities with installing and maintaining approved
sprinkler systems.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $0 or
Greater than $683,239 in FY 2008, $0 or Greater than $682,741 in
FY 2009, and $0 or Greater than $697,224 in FY 2010.  No impact
on Other State Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of House Bill 952 say that the bill is a
comprehensive piece of legislation that deals with sprinklers,
fire alarms, electrical systems, emergency preparedness, and
employees and contract personnel within a facility.  The bill
implements a number of measures that will increase safety and
decrease the possibility of future tragedies in long-term care
facilities.

Supporters of House Bill 674 say that every individual in a
residential care facility should feel safe and that his or her
life is not in danger.  The bill will increase the safety for
those in residential care facilities.

Testifying for HB 952 were Representative Wilson (130); Bob
Corcoran, Mayor of Anderson; Department of Health and Senior
Services; State Fire Marshal; AARP Missouri State Office; and
Missouri Healthcare Association.  Testifying for HB 674 were
Representative Dempsey; Missouri Healthcare Association; Missouri
Assisted Living Association; Michael Mahler, Sprinkler Fitters
Local Union; Missouri State Council of Firefighters; and Missouri
AFL/CIO.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose HB 952 say that most rural
facilities have a difficult time staffing their facilities with a
24-hour awake staff.  If residents do not need assistance, the
facility should not be required to have an awake staff member on
duty 24 hours a day.

Testifying against HB 952 was Gayle Halterman, Lathrop and Gage.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on HB 952 say that the importance of a
good alarm system is undeniable, but the systems are very
expensive.  Facilities need time to implement the provisions of
the bill.

Others testifying on HB 674 say that sprinkler systems need to
have an adequate water supply in order to function properly.
Technology is available to help facilities sustain the adequate
water pressure necessary.

Testifying on HB 952 was Missouri Association of Homes for the
Aging.  Testifying on HB 674 were State Fire Marshal; and
Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am