House passes modifications to carbon monoxide detector requirements on boats

The House passed a bill 127-0 Thursday to modify requirements for carbon monoxide detection devices on some watercraft.

HF3755, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R-Greenfield), would amend the so-called “Sophia’s Law” that requires any boat with an enclosed accommodation compartment to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. The bill would modify the standards a detector must meet and establish where the detector must be located.

The proposal would require onboard carbon monoxide detectors to be within 10 feet of any sleeping accommodations and prohibit them from being located within 5 feet of any cooking appliance.

Hertaus said the purpose of the modification is to make the legislation less onerous on industries that, under current law, are required to install numerous detectors on their watercraft.

“There were circumstances that went beyond our intention with [Sophia’s Law] as it relates to the houseboat industry and the resort industry with rental boats,” Hertaus said.

The bill now goes to the Senate where Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina) is the sponsor.

The 2016 law is named after 7-year-old Sophia Baechler, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while boating on Lake Minnetonka.