1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to capital investment; requiring that certain equipment to accommodate 
1.3 	hearing-impaired people be included in a capital improvement project using state 
1.4 	funds;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16C.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [16C.053] ACCOMMODATION FOR HARD-OF-HEARING IN 
1.7 	STATE-FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Accommodation for hard-of-hearing in state-funded capital 
1.9 	projects. No commissioner or agency head may approve a contract for, or grant state 
1.10 	funds for, a capital improvement project to construct or renovate a building unless:
1.11 	(1) the project includes equipping public gathering space in the building with 
1.12 	audio-induction loops to provide an electromagnetic signal for hearing aids and cochlear 
1.13 	implants; and
1.14 	(2) public gathering spaces in the building meet the American National Standards 
1.15 	Institute Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements and Guidelines for 
1.16 	Schools on maximum background noise level and reverberation times. 
1.17 		Subd. 2.Exception. A commissioner or agency head may approve a contract for, or 
1.18 	grant state funds for, a capital improvement project to construct or renovate a building 
1.19 	that does not meet the requirement of subdivision 1, clause (2), when the commissioner 
1.20 	or agency head determines that it is not feasible, is in conflict with other requirements in 
1.21 	law, or is in conflict with other project requirements. The commissioner will consult with 
1.22 	the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans before making 
1.23 	the determination.
2.1 		Subd. 3.Definition. For purposes of this section, "public gathering space" means a 
2.2 	space that is constructed or renovated as part of the project and that accommodates and is 
2.3 	intended to be used for gatherings of 15 or more people.