An Act Requiring The Building And Maintenance Of Elevators That Fit Medical Stretchers In Certain Structures.
Summary
HB 5741 would amend chapter 538 of the general statutes to require that certain new or renovated structures with at least four stories include one or more elevators large enough to accommodate a medical stretcher used by emergency services personnel. The bill applies to buildings that are newly constructed or substantially renovated, and it also requires that the stretcher-capable elevators be maintained after installation.
The measure is aimed at improving emergency access and evacuation in taller buildings, especially when a person must be transported on a stretcher rather than walked or carried. By setting a size requirement for elevators in qualifying structures, the bill would add a building-design and maintenance obligation for developers, owners, and operators of covered properties.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a new building code-style requirement in chapter 538 for certain four-story-or-higher new or renovated structures, effectively mandating stretcher-accessible elevators in those buildings. This would affect architects, builders, property owners, and building managers by requiring design changes, possible retrofit considerations during renovations, and ongoing maintenance to ensure compliance. It would also support emergency medical services by improving their ability to move patients through multi-story buildings.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears safety-oriented and preventive, with an emphasis on emergency preparedness and accessibility. The absence of recorded discussion makes it difficult to identify the overall legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent public-safety rationale.
Contention
The main likely points of contention would be cost, feasibility, and scope. Building owners and developers may object to the added expense or design constraints of requiring stretcher-sized elevators in qualifying structures, while supporters would likely emphasize the public-safety benefits and improved emergency response. Another possible issue is how the requirement would apply to renovations, what qualifies as a sufficient renovation, and whether the rule should apply to all four-story buildings or only certain categories of structures.