State Legislation
In states across the country, lawmakers are considering bills to strengthen residential safety by requiring natural gas alarms in homes and apartments with natural gas service. This page introduces catalyst events, national safety recommendations, and current bills under consideration in state legislatures.
Leading by Example: New York City and Maine Mandate Natural Gas Alarms
Natural gas incidents occur in communities across every state, but most homes lack gas alarms and most states have yet to require them. New York City and Maine were the first to address this critical gap in home safety by mandating the use of natural gas alarms, and they remain a prime example of how smart policy can aid in creating safer communities.
New York City Local Law 157
In March 2014 a natural gas explosion destroyed two adjacent five-story buildings in East Harlem, killing eight people and injuring more than 50 others. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the cause of the explosion was due to “failure of a defective fusion joint at the service tee… that allowed natural gas to leak from the gas main and migrate into the building where it ignited.” Residents smelled gas for over 20 hours prior to the explosion but did not report it in time to prevent the explosion.
One year later, in March 2015, 3 buildings collapsed, 2 people were killed, and at least 19 others were injured in a gas explosion in the East Village. The explosion was caused by an illegal tap into a gas main that had been siphoning gas to apartments. A restaurant owner in the building smelled gas the day of the explosion and reported it to the landlord, but neither notified the utility. In both instances, natural gas alarms may have prevented these catastrophic explosions.
Local Law 157 was passed in 2016 to prevent another tragedy. It requires alarms in Class A buildings (condos, co-ops, multifamily rental buildings, and one- and two-family houses), Class B multiple dwellings (transient housing properties like hotels, dorms, and boarding houses), and private dwellings. Buildings without gas lines or gas service are exempt.
Maine Fuel Gas Detector Law
In September 2019, emergency responders in Farmington, Maine, arrived at the Life Enrichment Advancing People (LEAP) nonprofit building to investigate reports of a gas odor. Moments later, a powerful explosion leveled the structure, killing one firefighter and injuring six others along with a LEAP employee. The blast reduced the building to rubble and caused significant damage to surrounding homes and businesses.
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols, reflecting on the scene, described it as “just total devastation... I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life, except overseas. It was horrible.”
In response to this tragic event, Maine enacted the nation’s first state law requiring fuel gas detectors. Modeled closely after New York City’s groundbreaking ordinance, the Maine law mandates the installation of approved alarms in multi-family housing, hotels, and business occupancies, specifically in any room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. It marked a critical turning point in recognizing gas detection as an essential element of public safety.
A Pennsylvania Wake-Up Call: West Reading Prompts New National Recommendations
In March 2023, a natural gas explosion at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, killed seven workers and injured ten more. Employees had smelled gas but, unaware of the danger, attempted to locate the source themselves rather than evacuating and calling 911. Minutes later, the building exploded.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a full investigation and concluded that natural gas had leaked into the factory’s basement and ignited. The NTSB’s final report urged all 50 states to mandate gas alarms in commercial and residential buildings, just as they already require smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
State Legislative Efforts
In the wake of recent tragedies and growing recognition of the need for earlier gas leak detection, state legislatures across the country are beginning to act. From urban centers to rural communities, lawmakers are introducing bills that would require natural gas alarms in homes, apartments, and other buildings served by natural gas. These proposals reflect a growing consensus that natural gas detection must be treated as a standard component of residential safety on par with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Momentum is building, and states have a clear opportunity to lead on life-saving policy.
States to Watch: Pushing Natural Gas Safety Forward
As national awareness grows, several states are emerging as leaders in advancing natural gas safety. Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts have introduced strong legislation and are rallying support for meaningful reform in the 2025 session.
Illinois
HB.3652 has passed the House! The bill would require fuel gas alarms to be installed in buildings that use gas appliances, including homes, apartment buildings, businesses, and institutions. The alarms must meet national safety standards and be certified by a recognized testing agency (like UL or ETL). All buildings must comply by January 1, 2028. A state fund will help low-income households get alarms for free or at a reduced cost.
To voice your support for the bill, use this map to identify your state senator and send a quick email explaining why this bill matters to you.
Pennsylvania
The Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee in the Pennsylvania House is expected to hold a hearing on HB.1522 in the fall. Spurred by the tragedy of West Reading, this important bill proposes to require fuel gas detectors in residential and commercial buildings that have gas-burning appliances.
Your voice can make a difference! Contact committee members to express your support for the bill.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts SB.1710 is gaining momentum and your voice can help move it forward. This important bill would require the installation of explosive gas sensor devices in residential buildings to protect residents from dangerous gas leaks. It is currently awaiting a hearing in the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Let committee members know this bill matters!
Take a moment to call or email and share why natural gas safety is a critical issue for all Massachusetts families. Your outreach can make the difference in bringing this life-saving legislation to a vote.
Make your voice heard! Use our ready-to-send email and phone scripts to quickly contact your state legislators and urge them to support gas alarm bills. Click below to take action today.