House Bill 1132

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO INSPECT ALL SORORITY AND FRATERNITY HOUSES LOCATED ON STATE PROPERTY; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO STUDY THE FIRE SAFETY OF PRIVATE FRATERNITY AND SORORITY HOUSES LOCATED ON STATE PROPERTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-11-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-11-101. (1) The State Fire Marshal shall promulgate the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code which shall apply to:

(a) All buildings owned by the state or state agencies;

(b) All buildings utilized for public assembly, except in any county or municipality which has adopted a fire prevention code with standards not less stringent than the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code; however, the State Fire Marshal or his authorized representative shall perform investigations or inspections of such buildings only when advised by interested persons of a danger or hazardous inflammable condition existing in any building that would tend to impair the safety of persons or property, or when the State Fire Marshal or his authorized representative believes the investigation or inspection is in the interest of public safety. The investigation or inspection shall be made in accordance with Section 45-11-3;

(c) All buildings, the permits for the construction of which are issued subsequent to the effective date of Sections 45-11-101 through 45-11-111 and which are not less than seventy-five (75) feet in height; provided, however, that in any county or municipality which has adopted a fire prevention code with standards not less stringent than the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, the provisions and enforcement mechanism thereof shall apply and not the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code;

(d) All buildings, the permits for construction of which are issued subsequent to July 1, 2004, constructed as private correctional facilities that house state inmates. Before such construction, construction plans must be submitted for review and approval to the State Fire Marshal's Office to ensure compliance with the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code; however, in any county or municipality that has adopted a fire prevention code with standards not less stringent than the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, the provisions and enforcement mechanism thereof shall apply instead of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code. All private correctional facilities may be inspected as required by the State Fire Marshal or his duly authorized representative. Inspection fees and expenses authorized by Section 45-11-105(2) shall be assessed for each inspection conducted by the State Fire Marshal's Office and shall be paid to the State Fire Marshal's Office;

(e) Any buildings, the permits for construction of which are issued subsequent to July 1, 2004, upon the request of any interested person. The interested person may submit the construction plans to the State Fire Marshal's Office for review and approval before construction to ensure compliance with the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code; however, in any county or municipality that has adopted a fire prevention code with standards not less stringent than the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, the provisions and enforcement mechanism thereof shall apply instead of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code. Inspection fees and expenses authorized by Section 45-11-105(2) shall be assessed for each inspection conducted by the State Fire Marshal's Office and shall be paid to the State Fire Marshal's Office;

(f) All buildings, the permits for construction of which are issued subsequent to July 1, 2005, constructed as private fraternity and sorority houses located on state property. Before such construction, construction plans shall be submitted for review and approval to the State Fire Marshal's Office to ensure compliance with the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code. All private fraternity and sorority houses located on state property may be inspected as required by the State Fire Marshal or his duly authorized representative. All fraternity and sorority houses located on state property shall be equipped with an approved fire alarm and smoke detector system to be in compliance with the National Fire Code (NFPA) Standard 72 as published by the National Fire Protection Association and as same may be revised or amended. All fraternity and sorority houses constructed on state property after the effective date of House Bill No. 1132, 2005 Regular Session, shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system to be in compliance with the National Fire Code (NFPA) Standard 13 as published by the National Fire Protection Association and as same may be revised or amended.

(2) The State Fire Marshal shall annually examine the fire prevention codes adopted by counties and municipalities within the State of Mississippi and prepare a list thereof specifying which codes have provisions not less stringent than those of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code.

SECTION 2. The State Board of Institutions of Higher Learning shall study the fire safety of private fraternity and sorority houses located on state property. Such study shall include the feasibility of fire sprinkler systems and the evaluation of fire safety procedures. The board shall report its written findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Insurance Committees on or before January 1, 2006.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.