Harrisburg, PA, May 6, 2026 – Today, Senators Tina Tartaglione (D-2, Philadelphia), John Kane (D-9, Chester/Delaware), and Devlin Robinson (R-37, Allegheny) announced that Senate Bill 867 has been signed into law by the Governor, becoming Act No. 16 of 2026. The bipartisan legislation restores and modernizes Pennsylvania’s process for adopting updated accessibility standards in building codes.
“For people with disabilities, accessibility is absolutely essential,” said Senator Tartaglione. “With this bill now signed into law, Pennsylvania can move forward with modern, practical standards that allow everyone to fully participate in their communities. This is about fairness, dignity, and making sure no one is left behind.”
Accessibility provisions, such as requirements for ramps, elevators, door widths, and restroom accommodations, are updated every three years by the International Code Council (ICC), the most widely used standard-setting body in the country. Until 2022, Pennsylvania automatically adopted these updates through the Department of Labor and Industry.
However, a Commonwealth Court decision struck down that process as an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority, leaving Pennsylvania reliant on outdated 2018 standards with no clear mechanism to adopt future updates.
Act 16 of 2026 addresses this gap by establishing a clear, transparent framework for reviewing and adopting updated accessibility codes. The law empowers the Pennsylvania Accessibility Advisory Board (AAB) to lead the process, ensuring decisions are informed by individuals with lived experience and subject matter expertise.
“The Accessibility Advisory Board is uniquely qualified to take on this responsibility,” Tartaglione added. “This law ensures that the voices of people with disabilities are centered in decisions that directly impact their daily lives.”
Under the new law, proposed updates will include a public comment period, at least one public hearing, and a thorough evaluation of their impact on public health, safety, and welfare, as well as economic considerations and technical feasibility.
“I’m proud to see this legislation signed into law and honored to have worked alongside Senators Tartaglione and Robinson to get it across the finish line,” said Senator John I. Kane. “This bill is about doing what’s right for our community; making sure Pennsylvania continues to move forward when it comes to accessibility and inclusion. Everyone deserves to live, work, and move through their community without unnecessary barriers, and this law helps make that a reality.”
“I’m proud to partner with my colleagues, Senators Tartaglione and Kane, on this bipartisan legislation to allow Pennsylvania’s accessibility codes to be regularly updated,” said Robinson. “These codes are essential so that persons with disabilities can live healthy, productive lives and access public facilities without unnecessary barriers.”
The legislation reflects months of collaboration among lawmakers, the Department of Labor and Industry, and key stakeholders, and passed both chambers with near-unanimous bipartisan support.
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