Assembly Bill 784 proposes the establishment of a Multifamily Housing Innovation Council within the Department of Safety and Professional Services. This council will consist of various professionals, including a building inspector, firefighter, fire chief, and other experts, who will be responsible for developing a guidebook that outlines recommendations for the design and construction of multifamily dwellings served by a single stairway. The guidebook will ensure compliance with safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. Additionally, the council will create a model ordinance that local governments can adopt to facilitate the construction of multifamily housing on commercially zoned land.

The bill also allows counties, cities, villages, and towns to enact ordinances permitting multifamily dwellings of up to six stories to be served by a single stairway, provided these ordinances align with the guidebook's recommendations. The council is mandated to meet monthly until the guidebook and model ordinance are completed, after which it will convene annually to review and update these documents as necessary. This initiative aims to promote innovative multifamily housing solutions while ensuring safety and compliance with existing building codes.