BILL NUMBER: S8598
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to minimum staffing
levels for agencies enforcing the minimum standards under the New York
State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Act
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would require that staffing levels are sufficient to ensure
enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code Act.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 declares the legislative intent.
Section 2 amends subdivision 1 of section 381 of the executive law as it
relates to the number and qualifications of staff.
Section 3 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Act ensures
a minimum level of protection of the hazards of fires for building occu-
pants and those who otherwise enter, such as first responders. In some
jurisdictions, the agencies responsible for enforcement of these stand-
ards are understaffed and unable to perform required inspections, which
has led to ineffective enforcement of the act. This bill would ensure
that there are adequate staffing levels to enforce the provisions of the
New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Act.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S8598: 381 executive law, 381(1) executive law