MN HF2013

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.106, subdivision 9 to require new public buildings constructed or remodeled after July 1, 1963, and existing public buildings when remodeled to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

State agencies may only lease space of at least 1,000 square feet in non-state-owned buildings for 30 days or more if the building meets State Building Code accessibility requirements or displays the state accessibility symbol.

State-sponsored meetings or conferences for the public or state employees must be held in buildings meeting State Building Code accessibility requirements; exemptions apply to classes and training programs offered by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the University of Minnesota.

The commissioner may grant exemptions from leasing and meetings requirements if an agency demonstrates reasonable efforts were made to find compliant facilities and the selected facilities provide the best available access for persons with disabilities, using criteria developed in consultation with the Council on Disability.

Establishes the wheelchair symbol adopted by Rehabilitation International's Eleventh World Congress as the sole state symbol for indicating accessible buildings and facilities, with display requirements enforced through State Building Code rules.