As Vanderburgh County Sheriff, I saw firsthand the destruction severe weather brings to the families and communities it touches. This experience led me to get involved to protect our communities by introducing CJ’s Home Protection Act in June. I am pleased to report that earlier this week the House of Representatives passed this important public safety bill.

 

Similar to the Indiana Law passed earlier this year, CJ’s Home Protection Act would change the Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards to require every manufactured home delivered for sale to be supplied with a weather radio. Weather radios provide immediate broadcasts of severe weather warnings and civil emergency messages, including tornado and flood warnings, AMBER alerts for child abductions, and chemical spill notifications.

 

Like smoke alarms, weather radios are practical, cost effective safety devices that can give people the warning they need to protect themselves. And like smoke alarms, it is the homeowners’ responsibility to ensure their weather radios are turned on and functioning properly.

 

While CJ’s Bill took an important step forward, there is still more work to be done. The bill will now advance to the Senate for its consideration. Upon passage by the Senate, CJ’s Bill must be signed by the President before it can become law.  

 

Severe weather doesn’t distinguish between Republicans and Democrats. It doesn’t care whether you live in Indiana or Kansas or California or Texas. This week, the House voted, in a bipartisan manner, to support this bill because if it prevents just one mother from losing her son, a $30 weather radio is not too much to ask.