JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Bedbugs are spreading in Missouri, and a state lawmaker says landlords and tenants need to know what to do about the bloodsucking pests.
Sen. Kevin Engler has introduced legislation requiring tenants in multi-family homes to report any bedbugs they see to their landlord within 48 hours.
The landlord would then have up to three weeks to inspect the rental unit and get rid of the tiny insects.
Landlords would not be responsible for any bedbug damage to a tenant's property unless they knew about the pests and chose to do nothing.
Engler, a Republican from Farmington, says state health officials asked him to file a measure, as infestations are becoming more common in several parts of Missouri.
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Bed bugs bill is SB846
Online:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov