HB5664 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 18329 DRJ 34185 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB5664

Introduced 2/9/2010, by Rep. Daniel J. Burke - Donald L. Moffitt

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Greek Housing Fire Safety Act. Provides that in the case of a Greek housing structure (that is, a fraternity or sorority house) the construction of which is begun on or after January 1, 2011, that construction must include the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems. Provides that in the case of a Greek housing structure construction of which was begun before January 1, 2011, automatic fire sprinkler systems are required in every such structure by January 1, 2019. Provides that if a Greek housing structure does not comply with these provisions, it is unlawful to occupy the structure as a Greek housing structure. Provides for enforcement by a unit of local government (if the Greek housing structure is under the jurisdiction of the unit of local government in whose territory it is located) or an institution of higher education (if the Greek housing structure is under the jurisdiction of the institution of higher education that its residents attend). Effective January 1, 2011.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Greek Housing Fire Safety Act.

Section 5. Legislative findings. Fire deaths and burn injuries among college students have become a common occurrence. It has been proven that automatic fire sprinkler systems are a highly effective method of controlling or extinguishing a fire in its early stages and protecting the lives of the building's occupants and the responding firefighters. Many students are living in Greek housing that is not adequately protected with automatic fire sprinkler systems. Insurance companies recognize the benefits of sprinkler systems and have offered significant policy discounts to Greek organizations to cover housing protected by automatic sprinkler systems. Dormitories in the State of Illinois are already required to have automatic fire sprinkler systems by 2013.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Automatic fire sprinkler system" means a fire sprinkler system as defined in the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act.

"Greek housing structure" means a structure that provides housing for members of a social fraternity or sorority exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 50(a)), the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at a public or private institution of higher education. The structure may also provide for other activities in addition to housing.

Section 15. Automatic fire sprinkler systems required.

(a) In the case of a Greek housing structure the construction of which is begun on or after January 1, 2011, that construction must include the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

(b) In the case of a Greek housing structure construction of which was begun before January 1, 2011, automatic fire sprinkler systems are required in every such structure by January 1, 2019.

(c) If a Greek housing structure does not comply with this Section, it is unlawful to occupy the structure as a Greek housing structure.

(d) Nothing in this Act may be construed to abrogate any statute, rule, or ordinance requiring that a fire extinguisher be present in a Greek housing structure.

Section 20. Enforcement of Act.

(a) If a Greek housing structure is under the jurisdiction of the unit of local government in whose territory it is located, that unit of local government is responsible for enforcing this Act with respect to that structure.

(b) If a Greek housing structure is under the jurisdiction of the institution of higher education that its residents attend, that institution of higher education is responsible for enforcing this Act with respect to that structure.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2011.