# 119-s-5125: Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026

119-s-5125, Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-03).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5125
- As of: 2026-10-03
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-5125
- Congress: 119
- Title: Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-23
- Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Housing and Community Development
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-03

## Summary

**This bill would impose a national "visitability" requirement so that newly constructed, federally assisted single-family houses and townhouses include a basic accessible main level for people with disabilities.** It ties the standard to the ANSI A117.1-2017 Type C (Visitable) criteria and sets out enforcement tools and private legal remedies. - Families and people with disabilities would gain easier access to the main living level and entrance in covered dwelling units that are first occupied on or after one year after enactment. This applies to detached single-family homes, townhouses, modular homes, multi-level units, and certain ground-floor units. - Designers, builders, lenders, and others who receive federal assistance would need plans and construction to meet the visitability standard. Aggrieved persons could bring private actions within 5 years and seek remedies that include actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief, retrofitting, and attorney’s fees. - State and local agencies would have to review and approve plans for compliance and could share liability based on whether approved plans met the Act. Federal agencies and the Attorney General may withhold approvals and bring or join civil enforcement actions when units fail to comply.

## Provisions PRIA read

- New visitability rule for covered homes: benefit, medium. If enacted, covered new homes would need at least one level that meets the Type C (Visitable) part of ANSI A117.1-2017. Covered units include certain detached single-family homes, townhouses, modular and multi-level units, and qualifying ground-floor units in buildings of up to three units. The rul…
- New private lawsuits and remedies for defects: mixed, medium. If enacted, people harmed by visitability violations in covered units would be able to sue in federal court within five years of the occurrence or termination. The filing deadline would not start until any visitability problem is corrected. Courts could award actual and punitive damages and order i…
- Federal aid tied to local plan reviews: mixed, medium. If enacted, HUD, USDA, and VA would not provide certain housing-related federal help to a State or local government unless the appropriate local agency reviews and enforces plan compliance. Applicants would have to submit design and construction plans and written assurances that covered units will…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-4504: Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-s-5125 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5125)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-4504: Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4504)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5125 (as of 2026-10-03).