Maryland SB 436: Maryland Department of Labor - Study on Building Code Requirements for Single-Staircase Buildings

Bill Text

WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 503 
 
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Chapter 503 
(Senate Bill 436) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Maryland Department of Labor – Study on Building Code Requirements for 
Single–Staircase Buildings 
 
FOR  the  purpose  of  requiring the  Maryland  Department  of  Labor  to  study  and  make 
recommendations   regarding   building   code   requirements   for   single–staircase 
buildings; and generally relating to building code requirements for single–staircase 
buildings. 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That: 
 
 (a) In this section, “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor. 
 
 (b) The Department shall:  
 
  (1) conduct  a  study  on  building  code  requirements  for  single–staircase 
buildings in the State and other states; and 
 
  (2) make  recommendations  regarding  potential  legislative  or  regulatory 
changes to authorize the construction of single–staircase buildings up to six stories above 
grade  plane  in  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  affordable  housing  supply by 
reducing barriers to multifamily housing development. 
 
 (c) The study shall: 
 
  (1) survey and document a representative sampling of state and local laws, 
ordinances, and policies from across North America; 
 
  (2) analyze  best  practices  for  state  and  local  governments  when  drafting 
building  code  requirements  for  single–staircase  buildings  up  to  six  stories  above  grade, 
taking into consideration the following factors: 
 
   (i) the availability of an adequate water supply; 
 
   (ii) the  presence  and  response capability  of  a  professional  fire 
department; 
 
   (iii) the  practicability  or  feasibility  of  compliance  with  modern  fire 
codes, including a comparison to the safety of the existing housing supply; 
 

Ch. 503 2025 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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   (iv) the  practicability  or  feasibility  of  building  in urban  or  infill 
settings; 
 
   (v) the  viability  of  redevelopment  or  adaptive  reuse  of  historic 
properties; 
 
   (vi) any impacts of laws, ordinances, or policies on: 
 
    1. housing development; or 
 
    2. the cost of housing; and 
 
   (vii) any  other relevant  factors,  as  determined  by  the  Department; 
and 
 
  (3) make legislative and regulatory recommendations, including potential 
amendments   to   the   Maryland   Building   Performance   Standards,   to   authorize   the 
construction of single–staircase buildings up to six stories above grade plane in the State 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  affordable  housing  supply  by  reducing  barriers  to 
multifamily housing development. 
 
 (d) In carrying out the study, the Department shall consult with: 
 
  (1) a fire engineer who is a faculty member at a public institution of higher 
education that has a fire protection program; and 
 
  (2) a representative of a union that represents firefighters the Professional 
Fire Fighters of Maryland, designated by the President of the Professional Fire Fighters of 
Maryland; 
 
  (3) a   representative   of   the   Maryland   State   Firefighters   Association, 
designated by the President of the Association; 
 
  (4) a representative of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, designated by 
the President of the Association;  
 
  (5) a   representative   of   the   Metropolitan   Fire   Chiefs   Association, 
designated by the President of the Association; 
 
  (6) a representative of the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and 
 
  (7) a  representative  of  a Maryland  nonprofit  organization  that advocates 
for safe and affordable housing. 
 
 (e) On or before December 1, 2025 2026, the Department shall report its findings 
and  recommendations  to  the  Governor  and,  in  accordance  with  §  2–1257  of  the  State 

 WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 503 
 
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Government  Article,  the  General  Assembly,  the  Senate  Education,  Energy,  and  the 
Environment Committee, and the House Environment and Transportation Committee. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 
1, 2025. 
 
Approved by the Governor, May 13, 2025.