MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Senator(s) Kirby

AN ACT TO CREATE A FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION DIVISION WITHIN THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE THE FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION DIVISION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM TO ASSIST CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLIES WITH FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, AND TO DEVELOP FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR CHILD CARE FACILITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. There is created a Fire Safety Education Division within the State Fire Marshal's Office of the Department of Insurance. In the interest of public safety, the Commissioner of Insurance may employ a minimum of four (4) additional employees who shall serve in the Fire Safety Education Division; three (3) of these employees shall serve as Fire Marshal I Deputies and one (1) of these employees shall serve in a secretarial position. The Commissioner of Insurance, acting through the State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal, is charged with the administration of this act.

SECTION 2. The Fire Safety Education Division, in an effort to reduce loss of life and property from fires, shall develop and implement a fire safety education program to:

(a) Assist churches and religious assemblies with fire prevention, fire safety and security measures;

(b) Coordinate prevention programs with child care facilities in an effort to reduce fire deaths; and

(c) Develop fire safety standards for child care facilities in cooperation with the advisory council appointed by the Executive Officer of the State Board of Health under Section 43-20-7, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.