(A) For purposes of this section, "places of worship" mean new or existing buildings that are included within the Group A occupancies as contained in either the International Fire Code or the most recently adopted nationally recognized fire code.

(B) The General Assembly finds that the tradition of bringing natural cut trees is an important symbol in celebrations occurring in places of worship.

(C) Neither the Fire Marshal nor a governing body of a county or municipality shall enforce that portion of either the International Fire Code or a nationally recognized fire code that prohibits natural cut trees from being located in places of worship which do not fall within the exceptions provided for structures that have approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with the International Fire Code or a nationally recognized fire code.

(D) This section does not affect the authority of the Fire Marshal or a governing body of a county or a municipality to enforce the other provisions of the International Fire Code or a nationally recognized fire code that pertain to decorative vegetation in new and existing buildings.