SA 4145. Mr. CARPER (for himself and Mrs. DOLE) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2663, to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 87, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:
(c) STATE GRANT PROGRAM FOR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS.--
(1) FINDINGS.--The Congress finds the following:
(A) Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel. Exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health condition that could result in death.
(B) Carbon monoxide poisoning from the use of fuel-burning appliances in residential homes and other dwelling units kills at least 2,000 people each year and sends more than 15,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.
(C) Research shows that purchasing and installing carbon monoxide alarms close to the sleeping areas in residential homes and other dwelling units can help avoid fatalities.
(D) Congress should promote the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide alarms in residential homes and dwelling units nationwide in order to promote the health and public safety of citizens throughout the nation.
(2) STATE APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM GRANT PROGRAM.--
(A) IN GENERAL.--Subject to the availability of appropriations authorized by paragraph (4), the Commission shall establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible States to carry out a carbon monoxide alarm program.
(B) ELIGIBILITY.--To be eligible for a grant under this program, a State shall--
(i) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the State has adopted a statute, or a State agency has adopted a state-wide rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and effect of law, requiring the inclusion of approved carbon monoxide alarms installed in accordance with NFPA 720 in all commercial residential dwelling units and all new dwelling unit construction and providing penalties for failure to include such alarms; and
(ii) submit an application to the Commission at such time, in such form, and containing such additional information as the Commission may require. Such application may be filed on behalf of any qualified State by the fire code enforcement officials for such State.
(C) GRANT AMOUNT; PRIORITY.--The Commission shall determine the amount of the grants awarded under this section, and shall give priority to--
(i) multi-state applications (including those made by a nonprofit organization representing fire code enforcement officials on behalf of more than 1 State) if all participating States meet the requirements of this paragraph; and
(ii) States demonstrating greater than average losses of life from carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.
(D) USE OF FUNDS.--A State receiving a grant under this section may use grant funds--
(i) to train that State's fire code enforcement officials in the proper enforcement of State laws concerning approved carbon monoxide alarms and the installation of such alarms in accordance with NFPA 720;
(ii) for the development and dissemination of training materials, instructors, and any other costs related to the training sessions authorized by this paragraph; and
(iii) to educate the public about the risk associated with carbon monoxide as a poison and the importance of proper carbon monoxide alarm use. No more than 25 percent of any grant may be used in this manner.
(E) ADMINISTRATIVE COST LIMIT.--No more than 10 percent of any grant funds may be used to cover administrative costs not directly related to training described in subparagraph (D)(i).
(3) DEFINITIONS.--In this subsection:
(A) APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM.--The term ``approved carbon monoxide alarm'' means a carbon monoxide alarm that complies with the standards, whether voluntary or mandatory, issued, approved, or otherwise supported by the Commission with respect to such alarms, whether those standards have been developed unilaterally by the Commission or in conjunction with other parties.
(B) CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM.--The term ``carbon monoxide alarm'' means a device that detects the presence of carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if the level of carbon monoxide detected by the device poses a health risk to persons within the vicinity of the device.
(C) COMMISSION.--The term ``Commission'' means the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
(D) DWELLING UNIT.--The term ``dwelling unit'' means a room or suite of rooms used for human habitation, and includes a single family residence as well as each living unit of a multiple family residence (including apartment buildings) and each living unit in a mixed use building.
(E) FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.--The term ``fire code enforcement officials'' means officials of the Fire Safety Code Enforcement Agency of a State.
(F) NFPA 720.--The term ``NFPA 720'' means the tandard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Warning Equipment in Dwelling Units issued by the National Fire Protection Association in 2005 and any amended or similar successor standard pertaining to the proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units.
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013 $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection, such sums to remain available until expended. Any amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph that remain unexpended and unobligated at the end of fiscal year 2013 shall be retained by the Commission and credited to the appropriations account that funds enforcement of the Consumer Products Safety Act.
(5) COMMISSION REPORT.--Not later than 1 year after the last day of each fiscal year for which grants are made under this section, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation of the grant program authorized by this section.
(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Mar 6, 2008.)