Lawmakers to introduce bill requiring carbon monoxide detectors in schools

MADISON, Wis. — State Reps. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz), Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) and David Steffen (R-Howard), announced they will be introducing legislation that would require Wisconsin schools to have carbon monoxide detectors throughout their buildings.

Schools are already required to adopt an indoor environmental quality plan—installing carbon monoxide detectors would be incorporated as a key safety measure.

Recently, 39 students and staff from the School District of Crandon were treated at area hospitals for symptoms related to elevated carbon monoxide levels in the school.

“I hope everyone who became ill as a result of the carbon monoxide poisoning is recovering and feeling better,” said Mursau. “I’m thankful for the school officials and local emergency responders who took quick action and removed everyone from the school once they knew there was a serious problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we can prevent events like this in the future.”

In order to ensure all schools are able to meet this new safety standard, the proposal would include a process for districts to seek reimbursement for costs associated with purchasing carbon monoxide detectors. Currently, five states, including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island and Utah require their schools to have carbon monoxide detectors.

“It’s baffling that we’re even discussing this. Student and staff safety should be a top priority, and the fact that carbon monoxide detectors aren’t already mandatory in our schools is frankly inexcusable. Every floor of a residential home in Wisconsin must have a carbon monoxide detector. This legislation is a no-brainer. It’s time we take the necessary steps to ensure our schools are equipped with the basic safety measures to stop something so preventable from ever happening again,” said Rep. Swearingen.

For more information, please contact the offices of Representative Mursau at rep.mursau@legis.wisconsin.gov or Representative Swearingen and rep.swearingen@legis.wisconsin.gov.