HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved two bills enhancing safety at Pennsylvania’s child care facilities, which will boost smoke detector requirements, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
In order to prevent a repeat of the tragic fire in Erie last year, Senate Bill 934 requires the Department of Human Services to include the inspection of all smoke detectors in its annual inspection of state-regulated child care facilities. Senate Bill 935 requires smoke detectors on each floor, in every basement, and requires them to be interconnected so that if one is triggered, they all go off.
Child care facilities will be subject to legal penalties in cases where a smoke detector is found to have been tampered with or disabled.
Last August, an early-morning fire at a home daycare in Erie claimed the lives of five young children. Only one smoke detector was found in the home, located in the attic.
Both bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
(717) 787-3280