HB 2429 -- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

Sponsor:  McClanahan

This bill requires an approved and operational carbon monoxide
detector to be installed within 10 feet of each room used for
sleeping purposes in every newly constructed residential or
rental property, as well as upon the sale of an existing
residential leased or rental property or upon any change or
renewal of a lease or rental agreement of a rental property where
a carbon monoxide hazard may exist.  Carbon monoxide detectors
must be permanently hardwired into the building's power supply
and be equipped with a battery backup in accordance with the
current edition of the National Fire Protection Association's
Standard for Installation of Carbon Monoxide Warning Equipment in
Dwelling Units and the manufacturer's recommendations.

The owner of an existing residential leased or rental property
must install at least one approved battery-operated smoke alarm
on the ceiling or wall within 10 feet of each room used for
sleeping, inside each sleeping room, and on each level within the
property including the basement before new tenants move in.  The
smoke alarm must be capable of sensing visible and invisible
particles of combustion, emitting an audible signal that can
clearly be heard in all bedrooms over background noise with all
doors closed, and emitting a signal when the battery is low.

In newly constructed residential or rental property, smoke alarms
must be installed according to the current edition of the
National Fire Protection Association's National Fire Alarm Code
(NFPA 72) and must receive primary power from the building's
wiring with a battery backup.  The wiring must be permanent and
without a disconnecting switch except as required for
over-current protection.  All smoke alarms in the property must
be interconnected so that one alarm will activate all the alarms.

The owner of rental or leased property must provide and install
approved and operational carbon monoxide detectors and smoke
alarms in required locations; upon discovery, replace any
detectors or alarms that have been stolen, removed, or rendered
inoperable; and keep and maintain the devices in good repair.  A
tenant must immediately report any malfunction or damage of a
required alarm to the owner or the owner's assigned agent.

These requirements will not apply to any political subdivision
with an equal or more stringent code, ordinance, or regulation.

Any owner who willingly fails to install or maintain the required
alarms will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.  Anyone tampering
with, removing, destroying, disconnecting, or removing the
batteries from any alarm, except in the course of an inspection,
maintenance, or replacement of the alarm, will be guilty of a
class A misdemeanor for a first conviction and a class D felony
for any subsequent conviction.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:14 pm