LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Seven Michigan Senators have introduced Senate Bill No. 328, the “Smoke Alarm Battery Standard Act.” In the legislation, starting 18 months from the date the bill goes into effect, it states that “a person shall not distribute, sell, offer for sale, or import a smoke alarm device that fails to meet the battery and power source standards.” These power source standards ban smoke alarms that have a replaceable and removable battery.

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The legislation mandates a smoke alarm to be powered for not less than 10 years by either a non removable and non-replaceable battery or another power source that utilizes new technology. There are a few exceptions to the rule including alarms that receive power from an electrical system of a building or are electronically connected as part of a centrally monitored or supervised alarm system.

Michigan News Source reached out to State Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), who sponsored the legislation, and he said, “As a legislator, I spend a lot of time thinking about how we can make Michigan the safest and best place it can be to raise a family and make a home. Having nearly lost my childhood home to a fire, I see smoke detector standards as a simple way to help ensure that when these crises do occur, we are able to minimize the damage they cause.”

Hertel went on to say, “House fires start for a number of reasons–many of them outside people’s control. While we can’t prevent every accident from occurring, we can work to prevent the worst outcomes by ensuring every home is equipped with basic fire safety materials”

According to the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society (MFIS), there have been 52 deaths in 49 fires in Michigan in 2023 as of May 7th, with 19% of the victims being disabled and 69% between the ages of 40 and 79-years-old. The highest number of fire incidents started in the bedroom (39%) and more of the fires (46%) started because of smoking than other causes. In 51% of the incidents, there were no working alarms.

If the legislation is passed, a  person who violates the law would be responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of no more than $1,000. The legislation defines a “person” as being an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality or other legal entity.

The legislation has been referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs.