HB 1004 -- Accessibility for the Disabled

Co-Sponsors:  Monaco, Graham, Bray, Van Zandt, Hosmer

This bill requires all buildings used by the public that are
constructed in whole or in part using public or private funds on
which architectural drawings are started after July 1, 2002, to
meet the design standards imposed by the bill.  Exceptions may
be granted by the governmental unit responsible for enforcing
the standards when compliance is impractical and creates an
unusual hardship or reasonably complicates the construction,
alteration, or repair in question.  Any exemptions will be made
in writing and be in the public record.  Any building that is
under construction prior to July 1, 2003, will comply with the
standards when alterations, structural repairs, or additions are
made.

Political subdivisions are not prohibited from making standards
that are more stringent than those imposed by the bill.  The
bill requires design criteria to comply with the most recent
version of the American National Standard for Buildings and
Facilities Providing Accessibility and Usability for Physically
Handicapped People (American National Standard Institute
A117.1).  For residential property with 7 or more residential
units and transient accommodation projects, one unit in 7 must
comply with these standards.  Privately-funded, single-family
residences or residential property with 6 or fewer residential
units are exempt.

Before the construction of a residential building with 7 or more
units is constructed, the builder will enter into a contract
with the governing body of the political subdivision
guaranteeing that the specific number of residential units for
persons with disabilities will be easily accessible and
adaptable for persons with disabilities and require the builder
to certify that the units will comply.

The bill specifies entities to enforce the bill's provisions:
the Office of Administration when state funds are used; the
governing body of the county, municipality, or political
subdivision when such funds are used; or the political
subdivision having jurisdiction when wholly private funds are
used.  The enforcement entity may exempt any building if it
finds undue hardship on the taxpayers of the governmental unit
liable for the cost of compliance in relation to benefits to
persons with disabilities derived from compliance.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:46 am