CLASSROOM DOOR BLOCK DEVICES                                                                S.B. 494:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 494 (as introduced 9-16-15)

Sponsor:  Senator Judy K. Emmons

Committee:  Education

Date Completed:  11-30-15

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Fire Prevention Code to do the following:

-- Specify that a school, college, or university subject to the Code would not be prohibited from using a lock block device.

-- Allow a classroom constructed by a school, college, or university after the bill's effective date to include a door lock capable of being locked from the inside of the classroom during an emergency.

The bill would take effect after 90 days after its enactment.

Under the bill, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code or any rule promulgated under it, the Code would not prohibit a school, college, or university that was subject to it from using a lock block device on a classroom door. The Bureau of Fire Services could not enforce a rule in a manner that was inconsistent with the bill or promulgate a rule that was inconsistent with the bill.

"Lock block device" would mean a device that is used to prevent a classroom door to a corridor from latching when it is closed, so that the door may be maintained in a locked condition at all times but may still be used at all times without the use of a key. The term would include a magnetic strip, a magnet with a clip, or a magnetic plate.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Code or rule promulgated under it, a classroom constructed by a school, college, or university subject to Code after the bill's effective date could include a lock on the classroom door that was capable of being locked from the inside of the classroom without the use of a key during an emergency. The Bureau could not enforce a rule in a manner that was inconsistent with the bill.

Proposed MCL 29.3f                                                          Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.