An Act To Require Elevators To Be Accessible for Ambulance Stretchers
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §15228, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety; report. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety shall establish a plan for the inspection and certification of all passenger elevators required to meet the elevator size requirements described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 15228, subsection 1-A and identify any legislative or regulatory changes that may be necessary. On or before February 1, 2014, the Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety shall submit a report, including any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development. The Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development may submit a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.
summary
This bill requires that, beginning January 1, 2018, all existing multistory buildings that house private entities or nonprofit organizations that serve the public or are places of public accommodation, subject to specific exceptions, have at least one passenger elevator that is accessible from all levels within the building and that is of sufficient size to allow the transport of a person on an ambulance stretcher in the fully supine position, without having to raise, lower or bend the stretcher in any way. The bill also requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety to establish a plan for the inspection and certification of all passenger elevators in existing buildings required to meet the elevator size requirements and identify any legislative or regulatory changes that may be necessary and report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development. It also allows the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development to submit a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.