Senate File 2071

                                       SENATE FILE       
                                       BY  BOLKCOM and DVORSKY

                                       (COMPANION TO LSB 5832HH
                                        BY MASCHER)


    Passed Senate,  Date               Passed House, 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 5832XS 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 5832XS 80
  2  9 jr/pj/5