VA HJR51

Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to convene a Stakeholder Advisory Group to evaluate whether Virginia should adopt visual contrast policies for commercial stairways

Addresses a gap in Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code, which currently does not mandate visual contrast requirements on stair treads despite International Building Code and ADA recommendations

Visual contrast standards under consideration would require the leading 1-2 inches of every tread and landing to have dark-on-light or light-on-dark coloring to aid people with low vision

Requires the advisory group to complete meetings by September 1, 2026, and submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by November 1, 2026

Any resulting requirements must promote statewide uniformity, greater accessibility, and safety standards that consider needs of Virginians with visual impairments