Community Homes for adults with disabilities and autism provide a safe setting for certain individuals to live in separate units while receiving residential care under one roof. These are, in fact, homes- not hospital or institutional settings.  

Recently, it came to my attention that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Human Services for discriminatory automatic sprinkler requirements for community homes. While community homes must install automatic sprinklers, homes occupied by similar sized households of people without disabilities are not subject to these same requirements. I agree with the DOJ’s assertions, and I plan to introduce legislation to change our state law and eliminate this blatant discrimination.

Specifically, my legislation will amend Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by defining “Community Homes for Adults with Disabilities and Autism” and then exempting them from automatic sprinkler requirements. As similar sized households are not subject to these heightened standards, this change does not jeopardize anyone’s safety. Rather, getting rid of this requirement will protect community homes from having to pay thousands of dollars to install such expansive systems and maintain them over time.

I believe that making this small change will not only help keep existing Community Homes open but eliminate a discriminatory barrier for more Community Homes opening down the road. Please join me as a cosponsor of this important legislation.