THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	449
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that smoke alarms, when properly installed and maintained, play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and working smoke alarms give people an early warning so they can escape quickly. Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan.

The purpose of this Act is to require:

(1) Property owners of residential real property that are wholly or partially occupied for residential purposes to disclose, as part of the mandatory seller disclosures in real estate transactions, whether the installed smoke alarm in the residential real property is in accordance with existing building or residential codes based on information provided by the state fire council; and

(2) The state fire council to create and maintain an informational guide on approved smoke alarms that are in accordance with existing state or county building or residential codes and post the informational guide on the state fire council's website and each county fire department's website.

SECTION 2. Chapter 508D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§508D-    Smoke alarms; residential real property. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a property owner of a residential real property that is wholly or partially occupied for residential purposes shall include, as part of the seller's disclosure statement on the real estate purchase contract, whether the installed smoke alarm in the residential real property is in accordance with existing state or county building or residential codes based on information provided by the state fire council pursuant to section 132-16(d)."

SECTION 3. Section 132-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) In addition to adopting a state fire code pursuant to section 132-3, the state fire council shall:

(1) Administer the requirements for reduced ignition propensity cigarettes, in accordance with chapter 132C; [and]

(2) Serve as a focal point through which all applications to the federal government for federal grant assistance for fire-related projects shall be made. Upon the receipt of any such federal grants, the state fire council shall administer those federal grants[.]; and

(3) Create and maintain an informational guide on approved smoke alarms that are in accordance with existing state or county building or residential codes, which shall be prominently posted on the state fire council website and on each county fire department website."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

State Fire Council Package; Residential Real Property; Smoke Alarms; Property Owners; Seller Disclosure Statements; Informational Guide

Description:

Requires property owners of residential real property to disclose, as part of the mandatory seller disclosures in real estate transactions, whether the installed smoke alarm is in accordance with existing building or residential codes based on information provided by the state fire council. Requires the state fire council to create and maintain an informational guide on approved smoke alarms that are in accordance with existing building or residential codes and post the guide on specified websites. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.