Mar. 30, 2015
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) that would require long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living residences to install carbon monoxide detectors (
House Bill 264) was adopted by the Pennsylvania House today.
Supported by the Pennsylvania Health Care Association and its companion organization, the Center for Assisted Living Management and LeadingAge PA, House Bill 264 would require long-term care nursing facilities, personal care homes and other assisted living residences that use fossil fuel heating systems to install these detectors for the protection of their residents and staff. Additionally, the carbon monoxide alarms would become part of the annual inspection process for licensure renewal by those respective care facilities.
“The advancement of this commonsense, life-saving legislation is more than seven years in the making,” said Mustio. “It is imperative that we protect our most vulnerable citizens from this silent killer by enacting the Care Facility Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act sooner rather than later.”
Mustio first introduced the Care Facility Carbon Monoxide Alarms Standards Act during the 2007-08 legislative session at the request of Moon Township resident Mary Ann Rose. Rose lost both of her parents within a three-week period of time due to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning they suffered in a residential care facility. In February, both Rose and Mustio testified before the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee regarding House Bill 264 and the video of their remarks can be viewed at RepMustio.com.
“The facility that Ms. Rose chose to care for her mother and father had a furnace malfunction that produced carbon monoxide fumes,” said Mustio. “Both parents were found unresponsive and taken to the hospital where blood tests revealed high levels of carbon monoxide. Just like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, a carbon monoxide detector is a cost-effective, life-saving piece of equipment that should be installed in almost every building, especially in any licensed facility that houses and cares for senior citizens.”
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas found in the combustion fumes of organic fossil fuels that can cause sudden illness or death. When inhaled, carbon monoxide combines with the blood and prevents the absorption of oxygen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in America. The carbon monoxide poisoning rate is highest among people over the age of 65.
House Bill 264 now advances to the state Senate for consideration. For the latest legislative updates visit
RepMustio.com or
Facebook.com/RepMustio.
Representative Mark Mustio
44th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepMustio.com /
Facebook.com/RepMustio