1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to building codes; requiring window screens in certain residential
dwellings to comply with safety standards; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16B.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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For the purpose of this section, "safety screen" means a
screen and associated framing and hardware that meet or exceed the standards specified by
subdivision 2.
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A properly installed safety screen and its
associated framing and hardware must be reasonably expected to prevent a small child
from passing through it when a force of 30 foot pounds or less is applied to the screen.
A safety screen must be capable of being opened from the inside by a person not having
specialized training or knowledge on how to open the screen.
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The following residential dwellings
must have safety screens installed on all windows that are capable of being opened and
that are located above the adjacent outside grade:
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(1) a multiple-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or
after January 1, 2009;
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(2) a multiple-family dwelling that receives financing in whole or part from the
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for remodeling or reconstruction that commences
on or after January 1, 2009; and
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(3) a single-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or after
January 1, 2010.
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The commissioner of labor and industry shall include
the requirements of this section in the next revision of the State Building Code. The
commissioner may elect to include in the code a standard that exceeds the requirements
of this section.
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The commissioner of public safety shall include
the requirements of this section in the next revision of the Uniform Fire Code. The
commissioner may elect to include in the code a standard that exceeds the requirements
of this section.
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This section may be enforced statewide by the
commissioner of labor and industry and by the municipality in which the dwelling
is located. In addition to any other enforcement powers, the commissioner and a
municipality have the powers that apply to a State Building Code violation irrespective of
whether the building code applies in a municipality. A municipality may enter into a joint
powers agreement to enforce this section.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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