SRC-AXB S.B. 839 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 839 By: West State Affairs 7/8/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, there are no U.S. standards regulating the safety aspects of window-bar releasing devices. Approximately 16 innocent people die behind bars each year. Burglar bars installed on ground floors to keep out criminals and protect the inhabitants can become hazards for fire victims seeking to escape their burning homes, and the bars also become impediments for firefighters' rescue attempts. S.B. 839 restricts the use of security bars on bedroom windows and doors, and grants rulemaking authority to the fire marshal. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 839 restricts the use of security bars on bedroom windows and doors, and grants rulemaking authority to the fire marshal. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the state fire marshal in SECTION 1 (Sections 756.083 and 756.084(b), Health and Safety Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 756, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter F, as follows: SUBCHAPTER F. SECURITY BARS. Sec. 756.081. DEFINITIONS. Defines "bedroom," "board," "department," "residential dwelling," and "security bars." Sec. 756.082. SECURITY BARS ON RESIDENTIAL DWELLING. Prohibits installation of security bars on a bedroom window or door, and makes exceptions to the prohibition. Sec. 756.083. LABELING REQUIREMENT. Prohibits the sale of security bars in Texas without required labeling, and provides an exception. Authorizes the state fire marshal to adopt labeling rules, and sets forth labeling requirements. Sets forth circumstances authorizing a person who is not regularly and actively engaged in certain activities to sell security bars, under certain conditions. Sec. 756.084. RECOMMENDED RELEASE MECHANISM. Authorizes the state fire marshal or a testing laboratory to recommend an interior release mechanism that has been shown to be effective. Requires the state fire marshal to adopt rules to implement this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Requires the state fire marshal to adopt certain rules by December 15, 1999. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective, to January 1, 2000. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.