SF 161

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/18/2017 09:09am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; requiring that certain equipment to accommodate
hearing-impaired people be included in capital improvement projects using state
funds; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16C.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [16C.053] ACCOMMODATION FOR HARD-OF-HEARING IN
STATE-FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "public gathering space" means
a space that is constructed or renovated as part of the project: (1) that accommodates and
is intended to be used for gatherings of 15 or more people; and (2) in which audible
communications are integral to a use of the space.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Accommodation for hard-of-hearing in state-funded capital projects. new text end

new text begin No
commissioner or agency head may approve a contract or grant state funds for a capital
improvement project to construct or renovate a public gathering space in a building unless:
new text end

new text begin (1) the project includes equipping the public gathering space, if the public gathering
space has or will have a permanent audio-amplification system, with audio-induction loops
to provide an electromagnetic signal for hearing aids and cochlear implants; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the project includes meeting the American National Standards Institute Acoustical
Performance Criteria, Design Requirements and Guidelines for Schools on maximum
background noise level and reverberation times in the public gathering space.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Exemption. new text end

new text begin A commissioner or agency head may approve a contract or grant
state funds for a capital improvement project to construct or renovate a building that does
not meet a requirement of subdivision 2, when the commissioner or agency head determines
that meeting that requirement is not feasible, is in conflict with other requirements in law,
is in conflict with other project requirements, or that costs outweigh the benefits. The
commissioner must consult with the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard-of-Hearing
Minnesotans before making the determination.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Exemption reports. new text end

new text begin A commissioner or agency head who determines a contract
is exempt under subdivision 3 must report the exemption to the Commission of Deaf,
Deafblind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans within three months of making the
determination. The chair of the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard-of-Hearing
Minnesotans shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
committees in the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over state contracting
by January 30 of even-numbered years beginning in 2020 identifying each exemption
reported in the previous two calendar years.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after enactment, and applies to
all projects funded with an appropriation enacted after January 1, 2017, for which requests
for bids or proposals are issued after January 1, 2018. For projects for which requests for
bids or proposals are issued before January 1, 2018, the commissioners and agency heads
are encouraged to comply with this section.
new text end