HB 711 — 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, in exemptions, applicability and penalties, further providing for exemptions.

PRINTER'S NO.   730

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 711
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, IRVIN, GLEIM AND KENYATTA,
        FEBRUARY 24, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
        FEBRUARY 24, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), entitled
 2      "An act establishing a uniform construction code; imposing
 3      powers and duties on municipalities and the Department of
 4      Labor and Industry; providing for enforcement; imposing
 5      penalties; and making repeals," in preliminary provisions,
 6      further providing for definitions; and, in exemptions,
 7      applicability and penalties, further providing for
 8      exemptions.
 9      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10   hereby enacts as follows:
11      Section 1.    Section 103 of the act of November 10, 1999
12   (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code
13   Act, is amended by adding definitions to read:
14   Section 103.    Definitions.
15      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
16   have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
17   context clearly indicates otherwise:
18      * * *
19      "Autism."    A neurodevelopmental disorder defined by the
20   Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
 1   Edition (DSM-5) that includes autistic disorder, Asperger's
 2   disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
 3      * * *
 4      "Community home for individuals with an intellectual
 5   disability or autism."     As follows:
 6          (1)   A building or separate dwelling unit in which
 7      residential care is provided to one or more individuals with
 8      an intellectual disability or autism.
 9          (2)   The term does not include:
10                (i)    A private home of individuals providing care to
11          a relative with an intellectual disability or autism.
12                (ii)    A residential facility operated by the
13          Department of Human Services.
14                (iii)    An intermediate care facility for individuals
15          with an intellectual disability licensed by the
16          Department of Human Services or an intermediate care
17          facility for individuals with a related condition.
18                (iv)    A foster family care home licensed by the
19          Office of Children, Youth and Families of the Department
20          of Human Services that serves only foster care children.
21                (v)    A summer camp.
22                (vi)    A facility serving exclusively personal care
23          home, drug and alcohol, mental health or domiciliary care
24          residents.
25                (vii)    A residential home for three or fewer
26          individuals with an intellectual disability or autism who
27          are 18 years of age or older and who need a yearly
28          average of 30 hours or less direct staff contact per week
29          per home.
30                (viii)    A child residential facility which serves

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 1            exclusively children.
 2      * * *
 3      "Intellectual disability."       Subaverage general intellectual
 4   functioning which originates during the developmental period and
 5   is associated with impairment of one or more of the following:
 6            (1)   Maturation.
 7            (2)   Learning.
 8            (3)   Social adjustment.
 9      * * *
10      "Relative."     A parent, child, stepparent, stepchild,
11   grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-
12   sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
13      * * *
14      Section 2.     Section 901(g) of the act is amended by adding a
15   paragraph to read:
16   Section 901.     Exemptions.
17      * * *
18      (g)   Automatic fire sprinkler systems in one-family and two-
19   family dwellings.--
20            * * *
21            (1.1)   If a one-family or two-family dwelling is utilized
22      as a community home for individuals with an intellectual
23      disability or autism, the dwelling shall not be subject to
24      heightened automatic sprinkler requirements for Group R-3 and
25      Group R-4 occupancies of the International Building Code
26      (2018 edition).
27            * * *
28      Section 3.     This act shall take effect immediately.




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