HF 277

as introduced - 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:

Section 1.

new text begin [16B.6151] WINDOW SCREEN SAFETY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Screen safety standard. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Required safety screen installation. new text end

new text begin 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:
new text end

new text begin (1) a multiple-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or
after January 1, 2008;
new text end

new text begin (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, 2008; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a single-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or after
January 1, 2009.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Building code. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Uniform Fire Code. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end