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CS/CS/HB 965 — Firesafety
by Health and Human Services Committee; Appropriations Committee; and Rep. Harrison (CS/CS/SB 1164 by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; Banking and Insurance Committee; and Senator Legg)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Banking and Insurance Committee (BI)
The bill authorizes the State Fire Marshal to use the most current edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code, 101 and 101A, in determining the uniform safety fire code adopted for Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs). The bill amends s. 429.41, F.S., to repeal current fire safety requirements for ALFs that utilized previous editions of the NFPA Life Safety Code, including NFPA 101, 1994 edition.
The bill allows ALFs that have a building permit or certificate of occupancy issued before July 1, 2016, to remain under the provisions of the 1994 and 1995 editions of the NFPA Life Safety Code. Such facilities may make repairs, modernizations, renovations, or additions to or rehabilitate the facility in compliance with the 1994 and 1995 editions, as applicable. A facility must comply with the current NFPA Life Safety Code if it undergoes a Level III building alteration or rehabilitation under the Florida Building Code or seeks to utilize features not authorized under the 1994 or 1995 editions.
The bill removes the requirement that the Office of the State Fire Marshall provide specified training and education to the Agency for Health Care Administration employees and local government inspectors.
Lastly, the bill prohibits a local government or a utility from charging fees in excess of the actual expenses incurred in the installation and maintenance of an automatic fire sprinkler system in an existing ALF.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2016.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 114-0