Substitute House Bill No. 5401 proposes significant revisions to the State Building Code, State Fire Prevention Code, and Fire Safety Code in Connecticut. The bill replaces the term "code" with the specific designations of "State Building Code," "State Fire Prevention Code," and "Fire Safety Code" throughout the legislation to enhance clarity. It extends the timeline for incorporating updates to these codes from eighteen months to two years following the publication of updates to the nationally recognized model codes. Additionally, it establishes that no revisions will be required between the first publication of the 2024 model codes and the first publication of the 2030 model codes, thereby allowing for a more stable regulatory environment during this period.

Moreover, the bill mandates that the State Fire Marshal and the Codes and Standards Committee adopt and administer the Fire Safety Code in alignment with nationally recognized standards, following similar revision timelines. It also requires the Commissioner of Administrative Services to submit a report by January 1, 2029, evaluating the impact of the extended revision cycles and offering recommendations for future amendments. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2026, and the bill, as amended by House Amendment "A," does not impose any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.