Bill

Bill > A5713


NJ A5713

NJ A5713
Establishes standards for housing of seasonal farm workers.


summary

Introduced
11/20/2023
In Committee
11/20/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024

Introduced Session

2022-2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to revise the State Uniform Construction Code to establish certain standards applicable exclusively to seasonal farm labor housing. As used in the bill, "seasonal farm labor housing" refers to a building consisting of housing or sleeping places provided to seasonal workers as part of a farm labor camp, regulated pursuant to the Seasonal Farm Labor Act, P.L.1945, c.71 (C.34:9A-1 et seq.). The bill requires the standards established by the commissioner to be adopted by rule and regulation, and requires that seasonal farm labor housing would: 1) not be occupied for more than 180 days in a year unless the housing meets standards established in the State Uniform Construction Code for non-seasonal, permanent housing;2) contain sleeping places exclusively on the first floor; 3) have an occupant load limit of 50 people, which may be increased to 100 people depending on the positioning of egress doors; 4) have not less than two means of egress; 5) be equipped with hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms;6) have hard-wired carbon monoxide alarms installed if a fuel-burning appliance is within the building or if garage facilities are attached; 7) have a fire extinguisher located within 50 feet of any point in the building; 8) prohibit cooking operations unless a hood fixture complies with the mechanical subcode; 9) have temporary or permanent bathroom facilities located within 200 feet of the building; and 10) be required to obtain a certificate of occupancy on an annual basis. The bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment, except that the commissioner would be permitted to take such anticipatory action as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to revise the State Uniform Construction Code to establish certain standards applicable exclusively to seasonal farm labor housing. The standards would include limits on occupancy duration, sleeping place locations, occupant load, means of egress, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements, fire extinguisher placement, cooking operation restrictions, bathroom facility proximity, and an annual certificate of occupancy requirement. The bill defines "seasonal farm labor housing" as a building providing housing or sleeping places to seasonal workers as part of a farm labor camp. The bill would take effect six months after enactment, allowing the Commissioner to take preparatory actions.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee (on 11/20/2023)

bill text


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