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Bill Summary · HB 3135

Overview

Missouri House Bill 3135 ( HB 3135, 2026) would require public school districts to inspect and ensure the proper operation of protective door assemblies in school buildings. The bill adopts NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) standards for doors and creates a framework for inspections, reporting, remediation, and enforcement, with renewed oversight by the state fire safety authorities starting in 2028.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a uniform requirement that protective door assemblies in public school buildings are inspected annually for safety and compliance.
  • Ensure door assemblies such as fire-rated doors, doors with panic hardware, electricity-controlled egress doors, and doors with special locking arrangements meet applicable life-safety standards.
  • Create accountability and transparency through inspections, reporting, record-keeping, and public posting of citations when deficiencies are not being addressed.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 160.674):
    • “Protective door assembly” includes panic hardware, exit enclosures, electronically controlled egress doors, and doors with special locking features (delayed egress, sensor release, elevator lobby doors).
    • “Qualified inspector” is someone with recognized credentials and demonstrated expertise.
    • References to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and its relevant sections (including NFPA 80 on doors/opening protectives).
  • Annual inspections (Section 2, subsections 1–2):
    • Each school board must have all protective door assemblies inspected and tested every 12 months.
    • Standards follow NFPA 101: assemblies installed in 2015 or later must meet the 2015 NFPA 101; those installed before 2015 must meet the edition in effect at installation (or building-code standards if no NFPA edition existed at installation).
  • Inspection requirements and remediation (Section 3):
    • Inspections must be conducted by a qualified inspector to confirm proper operation and full closure.
    • If noncompliant, districts must take steps to restore compliance.
  • Inspector reports (Section 4):
    • Inspectors report to the school board with one of three determinations: compliant; not compliant; or not compliant with a serious risk to fire/life safety.
  • Recordkeeping and follow-up (Sections 5–7):
    • Districts must maintain inspection records.
    • If noncompliance is found, districts must correct deficiencies and obtain a reinspection.
    • Post-inspection reports continue to the governing authority, with the same three determinations.
  • Enforcement and citations (Section 8):
    • Beginning January 1, 2028, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will annually review inspection records.
    • If deficiencies are not being addressed within set timelines (18 months after a noncompliance report, or 180 days after a serious-risk report), a citation may be issued; each noncompliant assembly is a separate violation.
    • Citations related to noncompliance must be posted on the district’s public website. Citations cannot be issued if the district is actively working toward compliance.
  • Protections and miscellaneous (Sections 9–12):
    • No citation or penalty may be issued if active remediation is underway.
    • Inspections for multiple assemblies in a single building can be combined into one report.
    • Temporary door-locking devices approved by the State Fire Marshal are permitted.
    • State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Fire Marshal may promulgate implementing rules.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and boards of education in Missouri.
  • School facilities and staff responsible for maintenance and safety of school buildings.
  • Qualified inspectors who conduct the annual assessments.
  • The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) overseeing fire and life-safety enforcement.
  • The State Fire Marshal and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for rulemaking and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Annual inspections required starting immediately after enactment; formal enforcement and citations begin January 1, 2028.
  • Noncompliance timelines: up to 18 months to achieve compliance after a noncompliant report, or 180 days after a serious-risk report; failure may trigger citations and public posting.
  • Rules and regulations to be promulgated by DESE and the State Fire Marshal to implement the section.
  • Section and rulemaking are subject to state administrative procedure protections, with nonseverability if related constitutional provisions or rulemaking powers encounter invalidity.

Potential impact

  • Increased safety oversight for school doors, potentially reducing fire/life-safety hazards.
  • Greater transparency through public posting of citations.
  • Additional compliance costs for districts to remediate door assemblies and maintain records.
  • Clearer standards alignment with NFPA 101 for school facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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