Bill > A3547

Introduced Session

This bill would require the installation of Internet capable room temperature reporting devices in certain multiple dwellings in order to help prevent the deadly fires that are known break out as a result of the use of space heaters. Specifically, the bill would supplement the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," ("HMDL") N.J.S.A.55:13A-1 et seq. to require each residential rental unit of a multiple dwelling containing six or more units of dwelling space to be equipped with an Internet capable room temperature reporting device. As used in the bill, an "Internet capable room temperature reporting device" is a device capable of measuring the indoor air temperature not less than once per hour and recording the temperature, along with the date and time of the reading, for a period of no less than the preceding 90 days. The device would be capable of making such information available through an ordinary Internet connection or other means when no Internet connection is available. The bill directs Internet capable room temperature reporting devices to be installed and maintained in accordance with rules and regulations to be adopted by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The bill requires information made available by an Internet capable room temperature reporting device to be accessible to the property owner and tenant of the unit in which the device is placed. The bill requires devices to be in operation from October 31 through May 31 of each year. The bill provides a residential tenant with the option to refuse an Internet capable room temperature reporting device from being installed in the tenant's unit. If a tenant refuses the installation, then the bill requires the owner to provide notice of this refusal to the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with the rules and regulations to be adopted by the commissioner, so that the owner may avoid any potential penalty for an HMDL violation. The bill directs the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill on or before the first day of the fifth month next following the bill's enactment. These rules and regulations would guide the appropriate provision of notice to tenants regarding installations, instructions on how to access recorded information, and the tenant's right of refusal. The rules and regulations would also guide multiple dwelling owners on the appropriate locations and methods of device installation and maintenance, and provide any other necessary guidance for the effective implementation of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month next following enactment in order to provide the department, and property owners, sufficient time to prepare for the implementation of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Shanique Speight (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee (on 03/10/2022)

Official Document