A religious exemption passed Monday on a new law requiring all Wisconsin households to be built with carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and certain plumbing requirements.
The religious waiver, initially requested by an Amish dairy farmer from Eau Claire County Aug. 26, is possibly the first seeking an exemption from the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, according to a press release from the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom.
State Rep. Kathy Bernier, R-Lake Hallie, signed the exemption into the 2015-’17 state budget after the Department of Safety and Professional Services approved the waiver request.
The approval came in response to Eau Claire County’s denial of the request, claiming the exemption would promote health and safety hazards. In response to the denial, the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom collected more than 1,300 signatures for a petition presented to the Eau Claire County Board Sept. 15.
DSPS decided the absence of required equipment would not present an unreasonable amount of danger.
Bernier praised the consideration shown by the DSPS toward religious interests, and said in a press release that the agency’s decision sets a precedent for future decisions made by other state agencies.
