by
<a href="mailto:sharons@awcnet.org">Sharon Swanson</a>, <a href="mailto:shannonm@awcnet.org">Shannon McClelland</a> | Apr 19, 2019
<a target="_blank" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5284&Initiative=false&Year=2019"><strong>SB 5284</strong></a>, requiring property sellers to install smoke alarm devices, passed the Legislature.
SB 5284, requiring property sellers to install smoke alarm devices, passed the Legislature. The bill, known as the Greg “Gibby” Gibson Home Fire Safety Act, was amended and passed by the House and now must return to the Senate for concurrence.
The amended bill does the following:
- Requires property sellers to provide at least one smoke detection device before the property is occupied.
- Imposes a fine up to $200 on sellers who fail to comply.
- Imposes a $5,000 fine if a property owner fails to install a smoke detection device and a fire causes property damage, personal injury, or death to a tenant or a member of a tenant's household.
- Deposits both the $200 fine and the $5,000 fine into the Smoke Detection Device Awareness Account.
- Changes the enforcement of the $5,000 fine from Washington State Patrol to local fire authorities and allows the fine to cover administrative costs related to enforcement.
- Establishes that insurers consider credits and discounts for smoke detection devices and fire alarms and defines each for this purpose.