Bill > S2647

This bill establishes a special commission to study and potentially create building code amendments that would allow multi-family residential buildings up to six stories tall to be constructed with only one staircase. The commission will be composed of representatives from various organizations including the Fire Chiefs Association, American Institute of Architects, National Fire Protection Association, Board of Building Regulations and Standards, and others, with the commissioner of occupational licensure serving as chair. The commission is tasked with producing a comprehensive report by December 15, 2026, which will include a technical study on the safety of single-stair residential buildings compared to two-staircase buildings, proposed safety modifications, a draft building code amendment, an estimate of potential additional housing units that could be created, and a proposed implementation timeline. The study will specifically consider a pre-existing report by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Boston Indicators, and Utile, and will aim to explore ways to potentially increase housing availability while maintaining appropriate safety standards for multi-story residential buildings.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Housing (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2647