do not fret over this below petition letter is Kiss this is background the actual proposed changes to the bill..(Bold is addition or change underline is a strikeout)
Inclusive Home Design Act of 2009 (Introduced in House) HR 1408 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session   H. R. 1408 To require all newly constructed or remodeled , federally assisted, single-family houses, and multiple family units including condominiums and town houses, and transitional housing facilties, for rent or sale to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   March 10, 2009 Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Mr. FARR, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. GUTIERREZ, and Mr. KIRK) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services   A BILL To require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities.   0.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 0.As used in this Act:   0.(1) ACCESSIBLE ROUTE- The term `accessible route' means a continuous unobstructed path, that--   0.(A) can be negotiated by a person with a disability using a wheelchair, walker, rollator, cane or other assistive device; and   0.(B) is safe for and usable by people with other disabilities and people without disabilities. 0.  0.(C) An accessible route goes directly from the access aisle to the accessible entrance. It must have no curbs, bumps or barriers. The route must not go into or through any traffic areas.     0.(2) COVERED DWELLING UNIT- The term `covered dwelling unit' means a dwelling unit that--   0.(A) is a detached single family house, a condominium, apartment or townhouse or multi-level dwelling unit (whether detached or attached to other units or structures), or a ground-floor unit in a multi-unit building of three or fewer dwelling units;   0.(B) is designed as, or intended for occupancy as, a residence;   0.(C) was designed, constructed, or commissioned, contracted or otherwise arranged for design or construction, by any person or entity who, at any time during the design or construction or major remodeling , received Federal financial assistance for any program or activity; and   0.(D)who's final design is not approved and/or  permitted on the the date of the enactment of this Act. 0. is made available for first occupancy after the expiration of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.   0.(3) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS- The term `environmental controls' means, for a dwelling unit, any switches or devices, including telephone, cable and electrical outlets, that control or regulate lights, temperature, fans, doors, security system features, or any other feature included in the new construction or major remodeling of the unit(s).   0.(4) FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE- The term `Federal financial assistance' means--   0.(A) any assistance that is provided or otherwise made available by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or any program or activity or such agencies, through any grant, loan, contract, or any other arrangement, including assistance directed through states, counties, cities, and other local agencies  after the expiration of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, including--   0.(i) grants, subsidies, or any other funds;   0.(ii) services of Federal personnel;   0.(iii) real or personal property or any interest in or use of such property, including--   0.(I) transfers or leases of the property for less than the fair market value or for reduced consideration; and   0.(II) proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of the property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government;   0.(iv) any tax credit, mortgage or loan guarantee or insurance; and   0.(v) community development funds in the form of obligations guaranteed under section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5308); or   0.(B) any assistance that is provided or otherwise made available by the Secretary of Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.).   0.(5) PERSON OR ENTITY- The term `person or entity' includes one or more individuals, corporations (including not-for-profit corporations), partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual corporations, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated associations, trustees, trustees in cases under title 11 of the United States Code, receivers, and fiduciaries.   SEC. 3. VISITABILITY REQUIREMENT.   0.It shall be unlawful for any person referred to in section 2(2)(C) with respect to a covered dwelling unit to fail to ensure that such dwelling unit contains at least one level that complies with the following requirements:   0.(1) ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE-   0.(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the level shall contain at least one entrance to the dwelling unit that--   0.(i) is accessible to, and usable by, people with disabilities such that all rooms on the level are connected by an accessible route;   0.(ii) does not contain any steps or any door threshold that exceeds one-half inch in height; and   0.(iii) is located on a continuous unobstructed path from the public street, parking lot  or driveway, mailboxes, trans cans or bins and/or common areas and facilities that serves the unit, which path--   0.(I) at no point has a slope exceeding one inch in rise for every 12 inches in length;   0.(II) has a width of not less than 36 inches;   0.(III) has a cross slope not greater than two percent of the width;   0.(IV) is an accessible route; and   0.(V) may include curb ramps, parking access aisles, walks, and ramps.   0.(B) EXCEPTIONS- The provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a covered dwelling unit if--   0.(i) the finished grade of the site is too steep to provide a path having a slope meeting the requirements of subclause (I) of subparagraph (A)(iii) at the front, side, or back of the unit;   0.(ii) if there is no driveway, parking lot or other parking facility or walkway serving the unit due to existing terrain and a construction permit variance that meets federal standards has been approved and obtained ; and  0.(iii) there is no alley or other roadway or walkway capable of providing direct access from a vehicle access to the rear of the unit.   0.(2) ACCESSIBLE INTERIOR DOORS- All doors that are designed to allow passage within the level shall have an unobstructed opening of at least 32 inches when the door is open at a 90-degree angle.   0.(3) ACCESSIBLE UTILITY and ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS- All environmental controls located on the ground floor level shall be located on the wall--   0.(A) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS shall be installed at a minimum 24”, but not more than 48”, above the floor; and at minimum one electrical outlet per room controlled by a switch that meets this standard. (i) All windows and doors shall have locks and handles  between 24” and 48” above the floor. 0.(B) in the case of environmental, electrical, cable and telephone outlets or appliance controls located directly above a counter, sink, or appliance, not more than three inches above such counter, sink, or appliance and at not more than a 26" inch reach across any surface 0.  0.(C) EVERY living area dining room or bedroom on the ground floor or those floors served by and elevator or lift shall have least one telephone, cable and electrical outlet on a continuous wall so that wiring does not need cross any hall or walkway for full access. 0.  0.(4) ACCESSIBLE HABITABLE SPACE AND BATHROOM- The level shall contain the following:   0.(A) HABITABLE SPACE- At least one indoor room that has an area of not less than 100 square feet and contains no side or dimension creating a diagonal path narrower than 40" seven feet.   0.(B) BATHROOM- At least one bathroom that contains, at a minimum, the following:   0.(i) CLEAR FLOOR SPACE- Clear floor space of 40 by 48 inches centered on and contiguous to the sink, which is not encroached by the swing path of the bathroom door.   0.(ii) ACCESSIBLE SINK AND TOILET- A sink and a toilet that each allow for a parallel or head-on approach by a person in a wheelchair.   0.(iii) A SHOWER OR TUB WITH REINFORCED WALLS- Walls that are reinforced to be capable of supporting grab bars that resist shear and bending forces of a minimum of 250 pounds, as follows:   0.(I) All walls adjacent to the toilet shall have horizontal backing reinforcements, each at least 33 inches, but not more than 36 inches, above the floor, and sufficient to allow for a 24-inch grab bar on the wall behind the toilet and another 42-inch grab bar.   0.(II) If a bathtub is present in the bathroom, such reinforcements shall include (aa) two backing reinforcements on the back wall of the bathtub, each at least 24 inches long and not more than 24 inches from the head end wall and not more than 12 inches from the foot end wall, one in a horizontal position at least 33 inches, but not more than 36 inches, above the floor, and one 9 inches above the rim of the bathtub, (bb) one backing reinforcement on the foot end wall of the bathtub, at least 24 inches long and located at the front edge of the bathtub, and (cc) one backing reinforcement on the head end wall of the bathtub, at least 12 inches long and located at the front edge of the bathtub.   0.(III) If only an accessible shower is present in the bathroom, such reinforcements shall include backing reinforcements on at least two walls on which the control valve is not located, each at least 33 inches, but not more than 36 inches, above the floor. 0.           (5) ACCESSIBLE KITCHEN- The ground level shall contain the following: 0.                                                                                                          (A) ACCESSIBLE STORAGE SPACE- At least one CABINET SPACE MINIMUM 36" wide x18" deep WITH ADJUSTABLE SHELVES FROM FLOOR TO CEILING. 0.                                                                                                          (B) ACCESSIBLE FOOD PREPARATION - At least one minimum 18" x 18'' deep counter space between the sink and the stove for food preparation and safe removal of hot pots and pans form the stove and at least one additional minimum 24"x 18" deep counter space for drying dishes or other use.  0.                                                                                            .                                                                                                                                                                  (i) CLEAR FLOOR SPACE- Clear floor space of a minimum of 40 by 48 inches centered on and contiguous to the sink, stove and refrigerator. .                                                                                                                                                                    .                                                                                                                                                                  (ii)A MINIMUM 36" WIDE entrance and/or route to an accessible kitchen or dining table space. 0.                                                                                            .                                                                                                                                                                  (iii) ACCESSIBLE/SAFE SINK STOVE AND REFRIGERATOR USE- Allowance for full sized sink, stove and refrigerator placement, that each allow for a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair or other mobility device. A sink that allows for head on approach by the same. .                                                                                                                                                                    .                                                                                                                                                                  (iv) ACCESSIBLE GARBAGE DISPOSAL- Installation of a "heavy duty" in sink garbage disposal unit for accessible and "green" trash disposal of most biodegradable food items. 0.                                                                                            no suggested change below - SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT. SEC. 5. EFFECT ON STATE LAWS. SEC. 6. DISCLAIMER OF PREEMPTIVE EFFECT ON OTHER ACTS. SEC. 7. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS.