THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	53
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO ADOPT EXPEDITIOUSLY PROVISIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2006 EDITION, RELATING TO PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE IN EVACUATION FOR RESIDENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES OR SIMILAR FACILITIES.

     WHEREAS, in considering the needs of Hawaii's elderly, the Legislature has recognized the importance of developing a long-term care infrastructure plan to ensure public safety while supporting aging in place; and

     WHEREAS, the State Building Code Council, established by Act 82, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, has the responsibility to establish a comprehensive state building code; and

     WHEREAS, the latest edition of the International Building Code provides building code regulations for assisted living facilities for the evacuation of residents in an emergency; and

     WHEREAS, to achieve the objective of supporting aging in place, S.B. No. 3187, Regular Session of 2008, proposed to implement the recommendations of the task force convened pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 144, S.D. 1, adopted during the Regular Session of 2006, by requiring the State Building Code Council to amend the provisions of the International Building Code relating to assisted living facilities and similar facilities; and

     WHEREAS, S.B. No. 3187, 2008, was deferred by the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs for consideration of a Resolution instead; and

     WHEREAS, the reason for the deferral was that the Committee believes that building codes are an administrative rather than a statutory matter; and

     WHEREAS, the building code provisions of S.B. No. 3187 would expand Hawaii's capacity for providing long-term care by allowing residents to preserve their independence while receiving necessary support services in the community; and

     WHEREAS, the State Building Code Council is familiar with and has taken up consideration of the provisions of S.B. No. 3187, but has not acted on it yet; and

     WHEREAS, to date, forty-six states have adopted the new building code provisions for assisted living facilities, which is necessary for new construction of assisted living facilities and upgrading of existing facilities, both critical to expanding long-term care; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the State Building Code Council is urged to adopt expeditiously provisions in the International Building Code, 2006 edition, relating to physical assistance in evacuation for residents in assisted living facilities or similar facilities and insert into the International Building Code the recommended amendments stated in the Department of Human Services' report to the Legislature as required by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 144, S.D. 1, adopted by the 2006 Legislature, Appendix A, pages 23-27; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Building Code Council is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, the Executive Director of the State Building Code Council, the Governor, and the Mayor of each county.

Report Title: 

State Building Code; Assisted Living Facilities