MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Insurance
By: Representative Stevens
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL HOTELS OR LODGING HOUSES TO HAVE MISSISSIPPI FIRE PREVENTION CODE-APPROVED ELECTRIC FIRE DETECTORS ON EACH FLOOR; TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE OF LESSEES AND KEEPERS OF HOTELS OR LODGING HOUSES TO PROVIDE CERTAIN FIRE ALARMS AND ESCAPE APPLIANCES; TO REPEAL SECTION 45-11-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES PROPRIETORS OR KEEPERS OF ALL HOTELS OR PUBLIC LODGING HOUSES TO PROVIDE A LARGE FIRE ALARM BELL OR GONG NEAR THE OFFICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 45-11-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
45-11-29. All hotels or lodging houses * * * shall be provided with a Mississippi Fire Prevention Code-approved electric fire detector with a detector * * * on each floor * * *.
SECTION 2. Section 45-11-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
45-11-49. Every owner, lessee, keeper, or proprietor of a hotel or a lodging house who shall, when the same is prescribed by law to be done, fail, neglect or refuse:
(a) To provide for each room a rope or rope ladder, or other like appliance; or
(b) To give notice calling attention to such rope or rope ladder or appliance, and giving directions for its use; or
(c) To provide iron balconies with iron stairs; or
(d) To provide a hand or side rail to each stairway; or
(e) To * * * provide a Mississippi Fire Prevention Code-approved electric fire detector; or
* * *
(f) To give alarm and awaken all guests and inmates of his house in case of fire therein or in close proximity thereto; or
(g) To do everything in case of fire in his power to rescue the guests or inmates of his house; or
(h) To do anything required by law to be done under the provisions of Sections 45-11-21 through 45-11-55;
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not less than ninety (90) days nor more than six (6) months, or fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 3. Section 45-11-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, which requires keepers of all hotels and public lodging houses to provide a large fire alarm bell or gong near the office, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.