CT SB00968

State Fire Marshal shall adopt regulations for granting permits for supervised special effects displays (including pyrotechnics, sparklers, fountains, and flame-producing devices) by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks, and other organizations, effective January 1, 2013.

Permit applicants must submit written applications at least 15 days prior to the display date with a $100 fee; local fire marshal must inspect the site and police/fire chiefs or chief executive officer must endorse it as safe.

No display shall be handled or fired by any person unless under supervision of someone with a State Fire Marshal certificate of competency for special effects; certificate costs $200 to issue and $190 to renew every three years.

Violations of regulations or permit conditions are punishable by up to $500 fine and/or 90 days imprisonment for subsection (a) violations; up to $2,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment for subsections (b)/(c) violations; and up to $10,000 fine and/or ten years imprisonment if death or injury results.

Exempts special effects displays from general prohibition on fireworks and pyrotechnics, and requires nonresident permit holders to appoint the Secretary of the State as their attorney for service of process.