Harrisburg, PA − March 19, 2026 – Senator Tina Tartaglione (D-2, Philadelphia) proudly announces the unanimous Senate passage of Senate Bill 867, her bipartisan legislation with Senator Devlin Robinson and Senator John Kane to restore and modernize Pennsylvania’s process for adopting updated accessibility standards in building codes.
“For people with disabilities, accessibility is not optional. It’s essential,” said Senator Tartaglione. “This bill ensures Pennsylvania does not fall behind and continues moving forward with modern, practical standards that allow everyone to fully participate in their communities.”
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, ruling it an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority. As a result, the Commonwealth has been forced to rely on outdated 2018 standards, with no clear mechanism to adopt future updates.
SB 867 addresses this gap by establishing a clear, transparent framework for reviewing and adopting updated accessibility codes. The legislation empowers Pennsylvania’s Accessibility Advisory Board (AAB) to lead this process, ensuring decisions are guided by individuals with lived experience and subject matter expertise.
“The Accessibility Advisory Board is uniquely qualified to take on this responsibility,” Tartaglione added. “It ensures that the voices of people with disabilities are not just heard, but centered in decisions that directly affect their daily lives.”
“This bill comes down to the everyday experiences folks have in their own communities,” said Senator Kane. “Whether it’s being able to get into a building, use a restroom, or move through a space safely, those are things most of us take for granted, but they make all the difference for someone with a disability. This legislation makes sure we’re not stuck in the past and that we’re continuing to improve access, safety, and independence for all of our neighbors.”
Under the bill, proposed updates will include public comment, at least one public hearing, and careful evaluation of their impact on public health, safety, welfare, economic considerations, and technical feasibility.
The legislation reflects months of collaboration among lawmakers, the Department of Labor and Industry, and key stakeholders.
“I was proud to partner with my colleague, Senator Tartaglione, and my co-chair of the Labor & Industry Committee, Senator Kane, to advance this important legislation to direct how Pennsylvania approves new accessibility code measures,” said Senator Robinson. “This commonsense bill will help ensure our fellow Pennsylvanians with disabilities aren’t subject to unnecessary challenges in their everyday lives due to delays in adoption of new accessibility code provisions, and I’m glad to see it approved unanimously by the full Senate today.”
Senate Bill 867 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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