Mississippi § 75-49-5 - Statement of policy; rule-making power.

§ 75-49-5. Statement of policy; rule-making power.

Factory-built homes, because of the manner of their construction, assembly and use and that of their systems, components and appliances (including heating, plumbing and electrical systems), like other finished products having concealed vital parts, may present hazards to the health, life and safety of persons and to the safety of property unless properly manufactured. In the sale of factory-built homes, there is also the possibility of defects not readily ascertainable when inspected by purchasers. It is the policy and purpose of this state to provide protection to the public against those possible hazards, and for that purpose to forbid the manufacture and sale of new factory-built homes which are not properly constructed and anchored and blocked at the homesite so as to provide reasonable safety and protection to their owners and users. It is also the policy of this state that used factory-built homes be properly anchored and blocked at the homesite. The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to investigate and examine into engineering and construction practices and techniques, the properties of construction materials used in the construction and assembly of factory-built homes, their electrical, plumbing, heating and other systems and appliances, their anchoring and blocking systems and techniques, fire prevention and protective techniques and measures to promote safety of persons and property and protect the health of users of such factory-built homes. The commissioner, in the interest of such public safety, is authorized to employ a minimum of three (3) additional employees in the Manufactured Housing Division of the Insurance Department to serve as Fire Marshal I, Deputies in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. All manufactured homes shall meet the requirements set forth in the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR Section 3280), established by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in accordance with the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C.S. 5401 et seq.), or such amendments to the standards as are adopted by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development after July 1, 1992. The commissioner is also authorized and empowered to issue, promulgate and enforce all rules and procedures which in his judgment are necessary and desirable to make effective the construction standards so established. The commissioner is also empowered to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations for the safe anchoring and blocking of factory-built homes when they are delivered to the site where they are intended to be used for human habitation. When promulgating and enforcing such rules and regulations the commissioner shall take into consideration the rapidly changing technical advances continually being made by the industry.