Committee releases bill defining fire‑escape contractors and restricting who may service escapes

The Brigadier Professionals Committee voted to release Assembly Bill 4266 after adopting an amendment that narrows the bill’s scope and adds definitions for a fire escape and a fire escape contractor. As amended, the bill provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire‑escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes.

Committee staff read the bill summary into the record and the proposed amendment’s effect: removal of fire escapes and exterior stairways from being categorized as fire protection equipment in an earlier draft, insertion of definitions for a fire escape and a fire escape contractor, and omission of previously proposed changes to the State Uniform Construction Code and the Uniform Fire Safety Act. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities, represented by Paul Pena, registered support and indicated no need to testify.

The committee adopted the amendment and released the bill by roll call with affirmative votes from Assemblyman Sharpenberger; Assemblyman Meyer (for Assemblyman Keane); Assemblywoman McCann Stomato; Assemblywoman Lopez (for Assemblyman Hutchison); Assemblywoman Coyosis Gill; Assemblywoman McCoy (for Vice Chair Swates); and Chair Stanley. The committee chair announced that “the bill as amended is released.”

The committee record does not include the full amended statutory language or detail whether certification standards for fire‑escape contractors will be set by the State or another entity; those specifics are not provided in the transcript and should be confirmed in the official bill text.