§ 51.5-12. Authority of Department concerning environmental barriers
A. The Department shall promote cooperation in the efforts of public and, when requested, private agencies to prevent or eliminate environmental barriers which infringe upon the rights of persons with disabilities under this title or otherwise prevent persons with disabilities from leading normal, productive lives. For the purposes of this section, "environmental barrier" means any things, conditions or influences that restrain or obstruct a person with a disability in his efforts to live a normal, productive life.
B. To carry out the purposes of this section the Department shall:
1. Make surveys of the nature and extent of environmental barriers and issue reports thereon;
2. Provide information to the public concerning standards for the prevention and elimination of barriers and serve as liaison for groups of persons with disabilities in this field;
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Statewide Building Code, the provisions of this chapter, and other state laws and policies in removing environmental barriers; and
4. Coordinate its activities concerning state buildings with the Division of Engineering and Buildings, and coordinate its activities concerning other buildings with the Department of Housing and Community Development.
C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Department to require building modifications not required by the applicable building code.
(Code 1950, §§ 2.1-582, 22-330.6:1; 1977, c. 534; 1978, c. 635; 1980, c. 559; 1985, c. 421, § 51.01-12.)
Sections: Previous 51.5-8 51.5-9 51.5-9.01 51.5-9.1 51.5-9.2 51.5-9.3 51.5-10 51.5-10.1 51.5-11 51.5-12Last modified: April 3, 2009