The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1618, the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.). The Security Industry Association (SIA) has expressed strong support for the legislation and encourages the U.S. Senate to act on it as well.

The legislation was introduced in the House on March 7 and discussed in a June 13 hearing by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. H.R. 1618 passed the House on Sept. 17, and a companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.

“Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Kuster, this bipartisan legislation provides much needed resources to states seeking funding relief for carbon monoxide detector installation,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Carbon monoxide detectors help save lives — we commend the passage of H.R. 1618 and hope the Senate takes swift action to pass this critical legislation.”  

SIA represents more than 1,000 companies specializing in safety and security technology solutions, including manufacturers and installers of carbon monoxide alarm and detection devices.

H.R. 1618 provides grant assistance to eligible states for the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide detectors in residential homes and dwellings of elderly persons, child care facilities, public schools and student housing owned by public universities. Additionally, the proposed grant program will allow states and local governments greater ability to purchase necessary equipment and implement carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and awareness programs.