Nicholas and Zachary Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2019

To encourage States to require the installation of residential carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2019 2. Findings and sense of Congress (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel. Exposure to un­healthy levels of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health condition that could result in death. (2) Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and the abnormal operation of fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and stoves, kills more than 400 people each year and sends more than 15,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. (3) Research shows that purchasing and installing carbon monoxide alarms close to the sleeping areas in residential homes and other dwelling units can help avoid fatalities. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that Congress should promote the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide alarms in residential homes and dwelling units nationwide in order to promote the health and public safety of citizens throughout the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Carbon monoxide alarm The term carbon monoxide alarm (A) detects carbon monoxide; and (B) is intended to alarm at carbon monoxide concentrations below those that could cause a loss of ability to react to the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure. (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Compliant carbon monoxide alarm The term compliant carbon monoxide alarm (A) the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms (ANSI/UL 2034); or (B) the American National Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL 2075). (4) Dwelling unit The term dwelling unit (5) Fire code enforcement officials The term fire code enforcement officials (6) NFPA 72 The term NFPA 72 (A) the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code issued in 2019 by the National Fire Protection Association; and (B) any amended or similar successor standard pertaining to the proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units. (7) State The term State 15 U.S.C. 2052 4. Grant program for carbon monoxide poisoning prevention (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations authorized under subsection (f), the Commission shall establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible States to carry out the carbon monoxide poisoning prevention activities described in subsection (e). (b) Eligibility For purposes of this section, an eligible State is any State that— (1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that the State has adopted a statute or a rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and effect of law, requiring compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 72; and (2) submits an application to the Commission at such time, in such form, and containing such additional information as the Commission may require, which application may be filed on behalf of the State by the fire code enforcement officials for such State. (c) Grant amount The Commission shall determine the amount of the grants awarded under this section. (d) Selection of grant recipients In selecting eligible States for the award of grants under this section, the Commission shall give favorable consideration to an eligible State that— (1) requires the installation of compliant carbon monoxide alarms in new or existing educational facilities, childcare facilities, health care facilities, adult dependent care facilities, government buildings, restaurants, theaters, lodging establishments, or dwelling units— (A) within which a fuel-burning appliance is installed, including a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, or any other apparatus, appliance, or device that burns fuel; or (B) which has an attached garage; and (2) has developed a strategy to protect vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or low-income households. (e) Use of grant funds (1) In general An eligible State receiving a grant under this section may use such grant— (A) to purchase and install compliant carbon monoxide alarms in the dwelling units of low-income families or elderly persons, facilities that commonly serve children or the elderly, including childcare facilities, public schools, and senior centers, or student dwelling units owned by public universities; (B) to train State or local fire code enforcement officials in the proper enforcement of State or local laws concerning compliant carbon monoxide alarms and the installation of such alarms in accordance with NFPA 72; (C) for the development and dissemination of training materials, instructors, and any other costs related to the training sessions authorized by this subsection; and (D) to educate the public about the risk associated with carbon monoxide as a poison and the importance of proper carbon monoxide alarm use. (2) Limitations (A) Administrative costs Not more than 10 percent of any grant amount received under this section may be used to cover administrative costs not directly related to training described in paragraph (1)(B). (B) Public outreach Not more than 25 percent of any grant amount received under this section may be used to cover costs of activities described in paragraph (1)(D). (f) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), there is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission, for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $2,000,000, which shall remain available until expended to carry out this Act. (2) Limitation on administrative expenses Not more than 10 percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this section may be used for administrative expenses. (3) Retention of amounts Any amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection that remain unexpended and unobligated on September 30, 2024, shall be retained by the Commission and credited to the appropriations account that funds the enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Act ( 15 U.S.C. 2051 (g) Report Not later than 1 year after the last day of each fiscal year for which grants are awarded under this section, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the implementation of the grant program required by this section. September 16, 2019 Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce September 16, 2019 Committee on House Administration

Summary: Nicholas and Zachary Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide grants that support carbon monoxide poisoning prevention to states that require carbon monoxide alarms in dwellings and other facilities. Specifically, grant funds may be used to (1) purchase and install carbon monoxide alarms for the dwellings of low-income families and older adults, as well as for other facilities; (2) train state and local officials about the proper enforcement of carbon monoxide alarm requirements and circulate corresponding training materials; and (3) educate the public about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and the proper use of carbon monoxide alarms.