HB377 (2021) Detail

Relative to the authority of the state fire marshal to grant an exemption from fire code requirements to recovery houses.


CHAPTER 26

HB 377 - FINAL VERSION

 

 

2021 SESSION

21-0455

10/05

 

HOUSE BILL 377

 

AN ACT relative to the authority of the state fire marshal to grant an exemption from fire code requirements to recovery houses.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Connors, Hills. 15; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 18; Rep. Goley, Hills. 8; Rep. Snow, Hills. 19; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill allows substance-free recovery houses to be granted an exemption by the state fire marshal for certain requirements of the state fire code.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

21-0455

10/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One

 

AN ACT relative to the authority of the state fire marshal to grant an exemption from fire code requirements to recovery houses.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

26:1  New Section; Fire Marshal; Exemption for Recovery Houses.  Amend RSA 153 by inserting after section 10-c the following new section:

153:10-d  Exemption for Recovery Houses.

I.  An owner or operator of a recovery house which is in compliance with rules adopted by the commissioner of health and human services under RSA 172-B:2, V for the voluntary registry for operators of recovery houses or who is certified by the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences may apply to the state fire marshal and maybe granted an exemption under RSA 153:5, IV from certain requirements of the state fire code, provided the following requirements are in place:

(a)  A properly maintained electrical system.

(b)  A properly maintained heating system, inspected and tagged annually by a qualified service technician, including a domestic sprinkler head over the unit and smoke separation from living area.

(c)  Properly maintained cooking appliances.

(d)  Street number of the recovery house posted and visible from the street.

(e)  No smoking within 10 feet of the building unless approved by the local fire department.

(f)  A written evacuation plan submitted to and approved by the local fire department.

(g)  Monthly evacuation drills must be conducted with documentation available for review onsite.

(h)  Basement living spaces shall have an exit directly to grade.

(i)  The facility shall have a minimum of 200 gross square feet per resident.

(j)  At least one escape window in each sleeping room.  An escape window shall comply with the state fire marshal’s most recent informational bulletin document relative to size and dimensions.

(k)  Installed interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrically powered with battery backup, on each level and in each sleeping room.  Ten-year battery alarms with wireless interconnectivity may be substituted for electrically powered alarms.  For occupancies exceeding 8 occupants, the installation of a complete fire alarm system, with carbon monoxide detection, including automatic notification to the local fire department shall be required.

(l)  Annual compliance inspection by the local fire department.

(m)  If the travel distance to an exit is greater than 75 feet, or for occupancies with living space above the second floor regardless of travel distance, there shall be 2 remote means of egress from each floor.

(n)  A 24-hour emergency contact person with contact information and the approved building occupant load shall be posted in the common area of the building so it is readily visible to the fire department.

II.  In this section, "recovery house" means a residence that provides a safe, healthy, family-like, substance-free living environment that supports individuals in recovery from addiction and is centered on peer support and a connection to services that promote long-term recovery; provided that “recovery housing” shall not include a halfway house or any other facility requiring a license pursuant to RSA 151.

26:2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

Approved: May 06, 2021

Effective Date: July 05, 2021

Links


Date Body Type
Feb. 4, 2021 House Hearing
House Floor Vote
March 24, 2021 Senate Hearing
April 8, 2021 Senate Floor Vote
Feb. 4, 2021 House Hearing
March 24, 2021 Senate Hearing
April 8, 2021 Senate Floor Vote

Bill Text Revisions

HB377 Revision: 32465 Date: May 6, 2021, 3:31 p.m.
HB377 Revision: 32327 Date: April 8, 2021, 12:14 p.m.
HB377 Revision: 31717 Date: Jan. 10, 2021, 9:03 a.m.

Docket


May 10, 2021: Signed by Governor Sununu 05/06/2021; Chapter 26; Eff: 07/05/2021


May 6, 2021: Signed by Governor Sununu 05/06/2021; Chapter 26; Eff: 07/05/2021


April 9, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 04/09/2021 HJ 7 P. 101


April 29, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 04/09/2021 HJ 7 P. 101


April 22, 2021: Enrolled RC 24Y-0N, MA, (In recess of 04/22/2021); SJ 13


April 22, 2021: Enrolled RC 24Y-0N, MA, (In recess of 04/22/2021); SJ 13


April 29, 2021: Enrolled RC 24Y-0N, MA, (In recess of 04/22/2021); SJ 13


April 9, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 04/09/2021


April 22, 2021: Enrolled RC 24Y-0N, MA, (In recess of 04/22/2021); SJ 13


April 8, 2021: Ought to Pass: RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 04/08/2021; SJ 11


April 8, 2021: Ought to Pass: RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 04/08/2021; SJ 11


March 31, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/08/2021; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 18


April 8, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/08/2021; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 18


March 17, 2021: Remote Hearing: 03/24/2021, 09:15 am; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; SC 16


March 24, 2021: Remote Hearing: 03/24/2021, 09:15 am; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar; SC 16


March 4, 2021: Introduced 03/04/2021 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7


March 4, 2021: Introduced 03/04/2021 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7


Feb. 24, 2021: Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/24/2021 HJ 3 P. 9


Feb. 24, 2021: Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/24/2021 HJ 3 P. 9


: Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 19-0; CC) HC 12 P. 6


Feb. 16, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 19-0; CC) HC 12 P. 6


Feb. 4, 2021: Public Hearing: 02/04/2021 10:15 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/99659562277 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened.


Jan. 27, 2021: Public Hearing: 02/04/2021 10:15 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/99659562277 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened.


Jan. 6, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 45


Jan. 10, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 45