Safe Stay Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3755

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-10-25T08:05:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Safe Stay Act" (H.R. 3755) aims to improve public safety by updating federal fire prevention guidelines to mandate the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause poisoning, and the bill seeks to prevent related incidents in areas affecting interstate commerce.

Key Provisions

• Mandatory Installation of CO Alarms: Requires "compliant" CO alarms (devices meeting specific safety standards) in every sleeping or dwelling unit within places of public accommodation that impact commerce. Compliance is based on the latest editions of the International Fire Code (a model building safety code) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72 (a code for fire alarm and signaling systems), along with related Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards for testing and certification.
• Updated Guidelines and Definitions: Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to reference the current NFPA Standard 72 (replacing an outdated reference to Standard 74) and adds clear definitions for compliant CO alarms, NFPA Standard 72, and the International Fire Code.
• Information Dissemination: Directs the U.S. Fire Administration (part of FEMA) to include guidance on CO alarms in its public education efforts, alongside smoke detectors.
• State and Federal List Updates: The FEMA Administrator must ensure states update their fire safety code lists to include the new CO alarm requirements, and FEMA must publish an updated national master list.
• Guest Notification Requirement: Owners or operators of public accommodations must provide written notice to guests upon check-in, confirming compliance with the CO alarm installation rule. This takes effect one year after the bill's enactment.
• Enforcement Mechanism: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the notification rule, treating violations as unfair or deceptive business practices under the FTC Act. The FTC can issue regulations and impose penalties similar to those for consumer protection violations.
• Flexibility Clause: Allows states or localities to adopt stricter CO alarm standards than those specified, without conflicting with the federal requirements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 by adding a new federal minimum standard for CO alarms in public accommodations, which previously focused mainly on smoke detectors without a specific CO mandate.
• Updates outdated references in fire safety guidelines (e.g., from NFPA Standard 74 to the current Standard 72) to align with modern standards.
• Introduces a new consumer protection element via FTC enforcement for guest notifications, which was not previously required under the Act.
• Enhances FEMA's role in coordinating state-level updates to fire codes, promoting nationwide consistency.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Increases safety for travelers and residents in public accommodations by reducing the risk of CO poisoning, potentially saving lives and preventing health issues. Guests will receive clear assurances of compliance, aiding informed choices.
• On Government Agencies: FEMA gains responsibilities for updating and disseminating fire safety lists and information, which may require administrative resources. The FTC will handle enforcement of notifications, potentially increasing its workload in consumer protection cases.
• On Businesses: Owners of hotels, motels, and similar venues must install and maintain CO alarms, incurring costs for equipment and upkeep, and provide notices, with risks of FTC penalties for non-compliance. No direct international relations impacts are noted, as the bill focuses on domestic commerce.
• Broader Effects: Could lead to fewer CO-related emergencies, easing burdens on local fire departments and healthcare systems.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Owners and Operators of Public Accommodations: Primarily hotels, motels, and similar businesses affecting interstate commerce, who bear installation, maintenance, and notification costs.
• Guests and Consumers: Travelers and occupants benefiting from enhanced safety protections.
• Government Entities: FEMA (for guidelines and lists), FTC (for enforcement), and state/local fire officials (for code updates and inspections).
• Safety Organizations: Groups like the NFPA and International Code Council, whose standards are referenced and promoted.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of fire safety in interstate commerce without preempting state laws, as it allows for higher local standards. Enforcement via the FTC integrates CO alarm compliance into existing consumer protection frameworks, potentially enabling civil penalties (fines) but no criminal sanctions.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate activities affecting interstate trade; no apparent conflicts with states' rights or individual privacy, as requirements are limited to public businesses.
• Political: Represents a bipartisan push for public health (introduced by Democrats), emphasizing preventive safety measures. It may spark debates on federal vs. state roles in building codes and the economic burden on small businesses, but the bill includes flexibility to mitigate overreach concerns.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Safe Stay Act — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (6 pages)