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2011 SESSION

11102155D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 648
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 12, 2011
Directing the Virginia Disability Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, to study the feasibility and appropriateness of amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to create accessible routes for persons with disabilities into public and private buildings and facilities. Report.
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Patrons-- Plum, Abbott, Ebbin, Kory, McClellan and Miller, P.J.
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Commonwealth to ensure the accessibility of persons with disabilities to all public and private buildings open to the public; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the citizens of the Commonwealth for persons with disabilities to enjoy maximum self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Virginia Disability Commission (the Commission) serve as the primary forum through which the needs and issues of persons with disabilities can be addressed; and

WHEREAS, the first step in creating accessible routes is the adoption of amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to ensure the shortest accessible route connecting accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones to an accessible entrance of the building or facility; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Disability Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, be directed to study the feasibility and appropriateness of amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to create accessible routes for persons with disabilities into public and private buildings and facilities.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall:

1. On or before December 31, 2011, complete an implementation study for the adoption of retroactive amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to provide access routes for persons with disabilities into public and private buildings or facilities;

2. Examine (i) the costs of any such mandate to private businesses and local governments and (ii) technical and feasibility issues addressing compliance requirements that may affect the structural integrity of buildings and other similar issues; and

3. Propose additional options, including (i) prioritizing components of accessible routes and (ii) establishing distribution schedules for the 20 percent of renovation funds reserved for improving accessible routes, if the Commission finds that retroactive amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code are not feasible;

The Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates shall provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Disability Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Disability Commission for this study, upon request.

The Commission shall include as participants in this study representatives of stakeholders including business groups, the building community, local governments, and others as it deems appropriate. The Commission shall submit to the Chairs of the House Committee on Health, Welfare, and Institutions and to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services an implementation plan for the adoption of such amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code on or before December 31, 2011.