H.R. 3755 — Safe Stay Act

This section revises life safety guidelines under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(a)) to require installation of compliant carbon monoxide alarms in each sleeping or dwelling unit within places of public accommodation affecting commerce (e.g., hotels and motels). (As background, states submit lists of such compliant places to FEMA under 15 U.S.C. 2224(a), which compiles and distributes a national master list to federal agencies.) It further (1) updates the referenced National Fire Protection Association standard from Standard 74 to Standard 72; (2) adds definitions in 15 U.S.C. 2225(d) for "compliant carbon monoxide alarm" (i.e., installed per the International Fire Code or National Fire Protection Association Standard 72 and applicable UL standards), "National Fire Protection Association Standard 72," and "International Fire Code"; (3) directs FEMA to disseminate public information on compliant carbon monoxide alarms (15 U.S.C. 2226); (4) requires FEMA to ensure states update their lists and the national master list reflects the new requirements (15 U.S.C. 2224); and (5) clarifies that the amendments do not prohibit higher carbon monoxide alarm standards.

This section requires the owner or operator of a place of public accommodation affecting commerce (i.e., any inn, hotel, or other non-federal establishment providing transient lodging, excluding apartment buildings or proprietor-occupied buildings with five or fewer rooms) to provide each guest with written notice upon check-in attesting to compliance with carbon monoxide alarm installation requirements. The section directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce this requirement as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.), authorizes the commission to promulgate implementing regulations, and sets an effective date of one year after enactment.