§1424.  Unfair or deceptive acts or practices; commercial laundromats; state fire marshal; additional enforcement

A.  The owner or operator of a commercial laundromat, as defined by R.S. 47:305.17, shall provide water to all washing machines in the facility and shall maintain a boiler to provide hot water to each machine, at a minimum temperature of one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit.  Such boilers shall be subject to inspection in accordance with R.S. 23:536.

B.  In the instance a machine is not providing hot water due to mechanical problems, the owner or operator shall place a sign on the machine indicating that hot water is not available.

C.  For purposes of this Section "boiler" means a hot water heating boiler or a hot water supply boiler.

D.  Any violation of this Section shall be an unfair or deceptive act or practice declared unlawful by R.S. 51:1405 and may subject the violator to any and all penalties provided for in this Chapter.  In addition, the state fire marshal shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to provide for the implementation of this Section.  Such rules and regulations shall authorize the state fire marshal to issue  notices of noncompliance, provide for an administrative hearing process, and provide for the assessment of fines.  At a minimum the rules and regulations shall provide for the issuance of a notice of noncompliance for the absence of a boiler, for the absence of hot water, or for the provision of water at a temperature below the minimum temperature.

Acts 2004, No. 357, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.