An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and for Accessibility Advis . . .ory Board; in Uniform Construction Code, further providing for adoption by regulations and for revised or successor codes; in training and certification of inspectors, further providing for education and training programs; and establishing the Accessibility Advisory Board Administration Account.

New reviews and funding for accessible buildings

Pennsylvania sets a formal process for reviewing building accessibility rules, with dedicated funding and public input. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment. The 11-member Accessibility Advisory Board includes three people with physical disabilities, an architect, business and multifamily housing representatives, a municipal official, and four lawmakers. Non-legislative members serve four-year terms. Starting with the 2024 International Code Council codes, reviews begin 21 months after each new edition is published. Only sections changed from the previous edition are reviewed. The board weighs safety, especially for people with disabilities, costs to consumers, and whether changes can work in practice. A 120-day public comment period starts within 30 days after review begins. Each comment must address one changed section, explain its position using those criteria, and use the required form. Suggested changes must meet or exceed the section’s standards. Comments are published, and the board holds public hearings. Sections without comments seeking rejection or changes can pass by majority vote. Sections receiving those comments need individual votes, with at least seven members approving adoption or changes. The board reports within 24 months after review starts. The state must issue final rules adopting its decisions without changes within nine months after the report. Those rules take effect 33 months after review starts. Existing rules remain when replacements are not adopted or modified. A new account receives 3% of existing code-fee receipts for accessibility reviews; the general code-review account’s share falls from 13% to 10%. Municipal code-official training and construction-contractor training each receive 43.5%. Receipts are deposited quarterly. Contractor training money goes to a Pennsylvania land-grant university housing research center. With the Governor’s approval, the state community development department administers both training accounts and generally may use up to 3% for administration. Existing agreements allowing a larger share get a one-year grace period. Training funds do not depend on other funding being available. Annual spending reports are due to legislative committee leaders by November 1. They must separately detail both review accounts’ vendors, travel, staff time and pay, operating costs, and other spending. New contracts must require that information.