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Requesting the Department of Housing and Community Development convene a Stakeholder Advisory Group to determine whether there should be visual contrast policies for commercial stairways.
WHEREAS, the stairs of commercial buildings in the Commonwealth are important to keep accessible for public safety reasons; and
WHEREAS, all Virginia stairs are regulated by building inspectors and plan reviewers, who enforce accessibility requirements provided by the International Building code and the International Code Council, which have been adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia into Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; and
WHEREAS, § 504.6 of the International Building Code and International Code Council American National Standards Institute A117.
1-2017
, mandate that visual contrast be provided on stairs fitted in commercial buildings in compliance with either one of two things: that the leading 1-2 inches of every tread and landing shall consist of a solid color having visual contrast of dark-on-light or light-on-dark for the remainder of the tread or that visual contrast be durable distinctive markings required by the adopted building code or American National Standards Institute safety standard; and
WHEREAS, § 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act recommends visual contrast on tread nosings or the leading edges of steps, being that it is helpful for people with low vision; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code does not mandate any of the above safety requirements for the accessibility of stairs for all and the additional aid of citizens with low vision; and
WHEREAS, the absence of any mandate of visual contrast for commercial stairways poses a danger to the public, and an increased risk of falls and stair-related injuries, especially in people with low vision or any kind of visual impairment, therefore be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Housing and Community Development be directed to convene a Stakeholder Advisory Group and with it, to jointly determine whether there should be visual contrast policies for commercial stairways in Virginia, and if so, to establish requirements for such policies. They shall provide input to the Board of Housing and Community Development as recommendation for changes to the Commonwealth's Uniform Statewide Building Code. Any such requirements established by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the stakeholder group shall promote statewide uniformity, greater accessibility, and higher standards of safety that consider the needs of all Virginians, including those who have low vision or any type of visual impairment.
The Department of Housing and Community Development shall complete its meetings by September 1, 2026, and shall submit to the Governor and General Assembly a report on its findings by no later than November 1, 2026.