Carbon monoxide

I really wish the government would stay out of my bedroom.

STLtoday - News - Metro East About 100 new laws go into effect in Illinois on Monday, covering everything from identity theft to dog fights.

The new law with perhaps the most direct effect on most Illinoisans is a requirement to put carbon monoxide detectors in most residences. The law requires that as of New Year's Day, every house, apartment complex and other dwelling in the state that's heated by a gas furnace, or has an attached garage, be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector near every bedroom.

How exactly is this law going to be enforced anyway? Other than issuing tickets to grieving parents after a devastating fire kills their kids.

“Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Jones, I have to fine your smoke-charred ass because you didn't have a carbon monoxide detector in Junior's room.”

Not saying that owning carbon monoxide detectors isn't a noble aspiration, but....WTF? How about reducing some tax breaks for nuclear energy producers or ADM, and spending the money to arrange for every resident to receive a detector via a coupon or something?

“Kidde 900-0102 Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm” (Kidde)

Maybe the first (or among the first) times I've agreed with a Rethuglican:

Still, the bill hit some opposition when the Legislature passed it in March. Most of it came from Republicans who say the issue isn't about personal safety, but overbearing government.

“It's a philosophical thing. The government gets involved in so many things today,” said Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, who was among the “no” votes on the carbon monoxide bill.

Luechtefeld said conservatives' frequent opposition to new regulatory laws doesn't indicate a lack of concern for the dangers of life, but rather a disagreement on where to draw the line between protecting citizens and intruding on their lives.

Here's the full list of new laws

To be fair, I rather like these ones:

Senate Bill 2165 guarantees condo owners can freely observe the doctrines of their religion at home, including being able to display objects on their front door. The legislation was prompted by several cases in Chicago where co-op boards and condo associations have attempted to pass rules that would ban the display of religious symbols in hallways.

• Senate Bills 2303 and 2968 protect people trained in first aid or medical response from being sued for trying to help injured people. The new laws aim to alleviate worries by “Good Samaritans” that they could be sued for helping someone who is seriously injured.

• Senate Bill 2310 allows Illinois residents to place a security freeze on their credit reports. The legislation also requires a password to remove the freeze. The Illinois Attorney General Office’s Identity Theft Hotline has information on how to do that and other measures one can take to prevent identity theft. That number is (866) 999-5630.

(h/t)

Oh, and D added, “deny insurance coverage after a fire” as another screw-you moment side effect to this legislation.

Tags: Chicago, /regulation