1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to building codes; requiring window screens in certain residential 
1.3 	dwellings to comply with safety standards; proposing coding for new law in 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16B.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [16B.6151] WINDOW SCREEN SAFETY.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purpose of this section, "safety screen" means a 
1.8 	screen and associated framing and hardware that meet or exceed the standards specified by 
1.9 	subdivision 2.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Screen safety standard. A properly installed safety screen and its 
1.11 	associated framing and hardware must be reasonably expected to prevent a small child 
1.12 	from passing through it when a force of 30 foot pounds or less is applied to the screen. 
1.13 	A safety screen must be capable of being opened from the inside by a person not having 
1.14 	specialized training or knowledge on how to open the screen.
1.15 		Subd. 3.Required safety screen installation. The following residential dwellings 
1.16 	must have safety screens installed on all windows that are capable of being opened and 
1.17 	that are located above the adjacent outside grade:
1.18 	(1) a multiple-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or 
1.19 	after January 1, 2008;
1.20 	(2) a multiple-family dwelling that receives financing in whole or part from the 
1.21 	Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for remodeling or reconstruction that commences 
1.22 	on or after January 1, 2008; and
1.23 	(3) a single-family dwelling on which new construction is commenced on or after 
1.24 	January 1, 2009.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Building code. The commissioner of labor and industry shall include 
2.2 	the requirements of this section in the next revision of the State Building Code. The 
2.3 	commissioner may elect to include in the code a standard that exceeds the requirements 
2.4 	of this section.
2.5 		Subd. 5.Uniform Fire Code. The commissioner of public safety shall include 
2.6 	the requirements of this section in the next revision of the Uniform Fire Code. The 
2.7 	commissioner may elect to include in the code a standard that exceeds the requirements 
2.8 	of this section.
2.9 		Subd. 6.Enforcement. This section may be enforced statewide by the 
2.10 	commissioner of labor and industry and by the municipality in which the dwelling 
2.11 	is located. In addition to any other enforcement powers, the commissioner and a 
2.12 	municipality have the powers that apply to a State Building Code violation irrespective of 
2.13 	whether the building code applies in a municipality. A municipality may enter into a joint 
2.14 	powers agreement to enforce this section.

2.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.