MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Insurance
By: Senator(s) Kirby
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE MISSISSIPPI FIRE PREVENTION CODE APPROVED FIRE DETECTORS FOR ALL HOTELS AND LODGING HOUSES; TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES ON HOTEL AND LODGING HOUSEKEEPERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY LAWS; TO REPEAL SECTION 45-11-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES KEEPERS OF HOTELS AND LODGING HOUSES TO PROVIDE AN ALARM BELL OR GONG TO BE USED TO ALARM THE GUESTS IN CASE OF FIRE; 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 aMississippi 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; * * *
(b) To give notice calling attention to such rope or rope ladder or appliance, and giving directions for its use; * * *
(c) To provide iron balconies with iron stairs; * * *
(d) To provide a hand or side rail to each stairway; * * *
(e) To * * * provide a Mississippi Fire Prevention Code approved electric fire-detector; * * *
* * *
(f) To give alarm and awaken all guests * * * of his house in case of fire therein or in close proximity thereto; * * *
(g) To do everything in case of fire in his power to rescue the guests * * * 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of hotels and lodging houses to provide an alarm bell or gong to be used to alarm the guests in case of fire, is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.