House File 2157 HOUSE FILE BY MASCHER and HEDDENS Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act to require that public housing constructed using Iowa 2 finance authority funds incorporate minimum universal design 3 standards relating to accessibility. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 5832HH 80 6 jr/pj/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION 16.54 MINIMUM UNIVERSAL DESIGN 1 2 STANDARDS == ACCESSIBILITY. 1 3 1. FINDINGS. The general assembly finds and declares it 1 4 is the policy of this state to encourage the design and 1 5 construction of affordable homes and apartments that people of 1 6 all ages and abilities can independently access, enter, and 1 7 visit. Incorporating universal design features into new 1 8 construction dramatically reduces the need to make and pay for 1 9 home modifications that address temporary or long=term injury, 1 10 illness, or disability. 1 11 2. STANDARDS. 1 12 a. All new construction of public housing financed in 1 13 whole or in part with authority funds must incorporate minimum 1 14 universal design standards in its design and construction. 1 15 "Public housing" includes any single=family home, townhouse, 1 16 duplex, and any other building with three or fewer dwelling 1 17 units. 1 18 b. The authority shall adopt rules to establish, 1 19 administer, and enforce universal design standards. The rules 1 20 shall include, but not be limited to, the following design and 1 21 construction features: 1 22 (1) At least one building entrance must be on an 1 23 accessible route and served by a no=step entrance or a ramp. 1 24 (2) Bathrooms must have walls that are reinforced to 1 25 support the installation of grab bars, handrails, or other 1 26 assistive devices and facilities. 1 27 (3) Light switches, electrical outlets, and other 1 28 environmental controls must be installed at a height and 1 29 location that a person in a seated position can easily reach. 1 30 (4) First floor doors and hallways must provide sufficient 1 31 clear width to enable a person using a wheelchair, walker, 1 32 crutches, or other mobility device to enter and pass through. 1 33 3. APPLICABILITY. The requirements of this section shall 1 34 apply to any public housing, financed in whole or in part with 1 35 authority funds, for which a building permit is requested on 2 1 or after July 1, 2004. 2 2 EXPLANATION 2 3 This bill requires the Iowa finance authority to create a 2 4 set of minimum universal design standards, relating to 2 5 accessibility for persons with disabilities, applicable to 2 6 public housing constructed in whole or in part with funding 2 7 from the authority. 2 8 LSB 5832HH 80 2 9 jr/pj/5