Senate File 2069

                                       SENATE FILE       
                                       BY  BOLKCOM and DVORSKY

                                       (COMPANION TO LSB 5835HH
                                        BY MASCHER)


    Passed Senate, Date               Passed House,  Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act to require the Iowa finance authority to implement minimum
  2    universal design standards, relating to accessibility for
  3    persons with disabilities, applicable to all public housing
  4    constructed using public funds.
  5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  6 TLSB 5835XS 80
  7 jr/gg/14

PAG LIN

  1  1    Sec. 1.  NEW SECTION.  104A.3  MINIMUM UNIVERSAL DESIGN
  1  2 STANDARDS == ACCESSIBILITY.
  1  3    1.  PURPOSE.  The general assembly finds and declares it is
  1  4 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 utilizing public
  1 13 funds must incorporate minimum universal design standards in
  1 14 its design and construction.
  1 15    b.  As used in this section:
  1 16    (1)  "Public housing" includes any single=family homes,
  1 17 townhouses, duplexes, and other buildings with three or fewer
  1 18 dwelling units.
  1 19    (2)  "Public funds" means funding or assistance from the
  1 20 state or any political subdivision through any of the
  1 21 following:
  1 22    (a)  A building contract or similar contractual agreement
  1 23 involving a state=funded program or fund.
  1 24    (b)  Any real estate purchase, lease, or donation.
  1 25    (c)  Credits, abatements, reductions, or other tax
  1 26 incentives.
  1 27    (d)  Bond assistance or any other financial assistance.
  1 28    (e)  A contract to provide funding or a financial benefit
  1 29 for housing.
  1 30    (f)  Disbursement or receipt of federal or state funds of
  1 31 any kind.
  1 32    c.  The Iowa finance authority shall adopt rules to
  1 33 establish, administer, and enforce universal design standards.
  1 34 The rules shall include, but not be limited to, the following
  1 35 design and construction features:
  2  1    (1)  At least one building entrance must be on an
  2  2 accessible route and served by a no=step entrance or a ramp.
  2  3    (2)  Bathrooms must have walls that are reinforced to
  2  4 support the installation of grab bars, handrails, or other
  2  5 assistive devices and facilities.
  2  6    (3)  Light switches, electrical outlets, and other
  2  7 environmental controls must be installed at a height and
  2  8 location that a person in a seated position can easily reach.
  2  9    (4)  First floor doors and hallways must provide sufficient
  2 10 clear width to enable a person using a wheelchair, walker,
  2 11 crutches, or other mobility device to enter and pass through.
  2 12    3.  APPLICABILITY.  The requirements of this section shall
  2 13 apply to any public housing, financed in whole or in part with
  2 14 public funds, for which a building permit is requested on or
  2 15 after July 1, 2004.
  2 16                           EXPLANATION
  2 17    This bill requires the Iowa finance authority to implement
  2 18 a set of minimum universal design standards, relating to
  2 19 accessibility for persons with disabilities, applicable to
  2 20 public housing constructed in whole or in part with public
  2 21 funds.
  2 22 LSB 5835XS 80
  2 23 jr/gg/14