HB 311 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

14Feb2019... 0152h

9Jan2020... 2824h

2019 SESSION

19-0482

10/06

 

HOUSE BILL 311

 

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

 

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill allows alcohol and drug free recovery houses to be granted an exemption by the state fire marshal for requirements of the state fire code and local amendments.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

14Feb2019... 0152h

9Jan2020... 2824h 19-0482

10/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

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:

 

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 may apply to the state fire marshal and be granted an exemption under RSA 153:5, IV  from requirements of the state fire code and local amendments, provided no exemption from such requirements shall be granted for the following:

(a)  A properly maintained electrical system.

(b)  A maintained heating system including a one-hour fire separation.

(c)  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.

(k) Installed interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrically powered with battery backup, on each level and in each sleeping room; or, the installation of a complete fire alarm system.

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

(m)  If the travel distance to an exit is greater than 75 feet, there shall be 2 remote means of egress from each floor.

II.  In this section,  "recovery house"" means  alcohol and drug free housing, or sober home, as defined in RSA 172-B:2, V and rules adopted thereunder by the commissioner of health and human services.

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