South Carolina General Assembly
105th Session, 1983-1984

Bill 259

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               259
Ratification Number:       108
Act Number                 63
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Require state agencies to encourage an
                           environment that is barrier free to
           the handicapped
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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A63, R108, S259)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO ENCOURAGE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS BARRIER FREE TO THE HANDICAPPED; TO PROVIDE THAT, AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984, ALL MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES OF STATE AGENCIES INVOLVING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MUST BE HELD IN A PLACE AND MANNER THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE HANDICAPPED, EXCEPT FOR COMPELLING REASONS OTHERWISE; AND TO REQUIRE THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD FOR BARRIER FREE DESIGN TO ESTABLISH AND DISTRIBUTE GUIDELINES FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO STATE AGENCIES IN COMPLYING WITH THIS ACT.

Whereas, it is the policy of this State to encourage and enable persons who are physically handicapped to achieve maximum personal independence, to use and enjoy all governmental and publicly-used buildings and facilities, and to participate fully in all aspects of society; and

Whereas, the General Assembly has enacted legislation that requires all new buildings used by the public to be free of barriers and thereby accessible to handicapped citizens; and

Whereas, the General Assembly has determined that the government of this State should encourage, by example, a barrier-free environment in both publiclyand privately-owned buildings and facilities that are used by the public. Now, therefore,Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Agencies to encourage barrier free environment

SECTION 1. A. Agencies of this State shall encourage, by example, an environment that is barrier free to the handicapped.

B. After January 1, 1984, all meetings and conferences, in which participation by the public is invited or desirable, of any agency of this State must be held in a place and manner that is accessible to handicapped citizens, including those who are handicapped in vision, hearing, or mobility, unless there are compelling reasons otherwise such as the lack of any such available meeting place.

C. The South Carolina Board for Barrier Free Design must establish and distribute minimum guidelines for determining the accessibility of meeting places and must provide assistance to agencies for the purpose of complying with this act.

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.