Pennsylvania 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.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 730 PRINTER'S NO. 3171
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 711
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, IRVIN AND GLEIM, FEBRUARY 24, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 13, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), entitled
"An act establishing a uniform construction code; imposing
powers and duties on municipalities and the Department of
Labor and Industry; providing for enforcement; imposing
penalties; and making repeals," in preliminary provisions,
further providing for definitions; and, in exemptions,
applicability and penalties, further providing for
exemptions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 103 of the act of November 10, 1999
(P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code
Act, is amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Autism." A neurodevelopmental disorder AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER AS defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) that includes autistic <--
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disorder, Asperger's disorder and autism spectrum disorder. ,
TEXT REVISIONS (DSM-5-TR).
* * *
"Community home for individuals with an intellectual
disability or autism." As follows:
(1) A building or separate dwelling unit in which
residential care is provided to one or more individuals with
an intellectual disability or autism.
(2) The term does not include:
(i) A private home of individuals providing care to
a relative with an intellectual disability or autism.
(ii) A residential facility operated by the
Department of Human Services.
(iii) An intermediate care facility for individuals
with an intellectual disability licensed by the
Department of Human Services or an intermediate care
facility for individuals with a related condition.
(iv) A AN APPROVED foster family care home licensed
by the Office of Children, Youth and Families of the
Department of Human Services RESIDENCE that serves only
foster care children.
(v) A summer camp.
(vi) A LICENSED facility serving exclusively
personal care home, drug and alcohol, mental health or
domiciliary care residents.
(vii) A residential home for three or fewer
individuals with an intellectual disability or autism who
are 18 years of age or older and who need a yearly
average of 30 hours or less direct staff contact per week
per home.
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(viii) A child residential facility which serves
exclusively children.
* * *
"Intellectual disability." Subaverage general intellectual
functioning which originates during the developmental period and
is associated with impairment of one or more of the following:
(1) Maturation.
(2) Learning.
(3) Social adjustment.
* * *
"Relative." A parent, child, stepparent, stepchild,
grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-
sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
* * *
Section 2. Section 901(g) of the act is amended by adding a
paragraph to read:
Section 901. Exemptions.
* * *
(g) Automatic fire sprinkler systems in one-family and two-
family dwellings.--
* * *
(1.1) If a one-family or two-family dwelling is utilized
as a community home for individuals with an intellectual
disability or autism, the dwelling shall not be subject to
heightened automatic sprinkler requirements for Group R-3 and
Group R-4 occupancies of the International Building Code
(2018 edition).
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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