The House Children & Youth Committee approved House Bill 156 — sponsored by Representative McNeil — to add a requirement for carbon monoxide alarms in child care centers and family child care homes. The committee adopted amendment A00112 clarifying alarm placement and definitions, and the bill passed by roll call, 26-0.

Representative Tricia McNeil, the bill’s prime sponsor and chair of the committee, told members the measure grew out of a local incident. “I was watching TV and on the local news channel, I saw 32 children and 1 adult being taken ... to ambulances on stretchers because there was a carbon monoxide leak in a daycare. Three of those children ended up in hyperbaric chambers,” McNeil said, urging members to support the legislation.

Danielle, a committee staff member, summarized the bill as an amendment to the Human Services Code that “adds language requiring the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in child care centers and family child care homes.” Danielle also read the list of supporting groups: Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, Trying Together, and First Up. She said the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services was neutral and that “there is no known opposition.”

The committee adopted amendment A00112, which staff described as adding clarifying language about the location and approved installation of carbon monoxide alarms and providing definitions for “approved carbon monoxide alarm” and “child care center.” Representative Clunk, who supported the amendment, said it gives providers “detailed information so that they can be” certain alarms are properly located; the amendment specifies location guidance including proximity to likely carbon monoxide sources (the amendment defines placement within 15 feet of a carbon monoxide source). After no negative votes were recorded, the amendment was folded into the bill.

Representative Clunk also spoke in favor of the overall measure’s clarity, saying she is generally reluctant to add regulations but that many providers already comply and that the amendment “made this bill stronger.” Representative Gina Curry moved to adopt the bill as amended, Representative Boyd seconded, and the committee approved the bill by roll call vote, 26 to 0.

The bill now advances from the House Children & Youth Committee; committee staff recorded the committee’s unanimous vote. The committee noted the Department of Human Services is supportive of the bill as amended.