Religious waivers allow Amish to ignore Wisconsin's uniform dwelling code requirements

[rug]

Associated Press
August 28, 2015 — 10:25am

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Religious waiver forms that will be distributed this week to all 72 counties in Wisconsin are expected to resolve a dispute over building codes between Eau Claire County and its Amish community.

An amendment to the 2015-17 state budget allows for exemptions to the electrical and plumbing requirements in the state's uniform dwelling code to residents who cannot follow them for religious reasons. Amish residents will now be able to claim an exemption from installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes because they violate their religious beliefs.

Some Old Order Amish families say religious tenets requiring them to live simply and avoid modern conveniences prohibit them from using those devices, the Leader-Telegram (http://bit.ly/1VhB3eZ ) reported.

Republican state Rep. Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie introduced the amendment after Eau Claire County pursued actions against several Amish families for noncompliance with the code. She said many Amish families weren't willing to sign the code promising they would install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors because they believed it was dishonest since they didn't plan to follow through due to religious reasons.

http://www.startribune.com/state-waivers-allow-amish-to-ignore-wisconsin-building-code/323216711/

[cleanhippie]

1. And?

[rug]

2. Glad you agree.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. This sort of waiver threatens the safety of an individual's neighbors as well.

It's all well and good, very Randian and Libertarian and all that, pull yourself up in the middle of the night by your flaming bootstraps and hope you can get out, but what about structural fires tendency to spread?

It's in societies best interest to have early alert, and someone mobilized to fight these fires. That's why we have building codes. For the safety of the inhabitants AND neighbors.