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.