Senate Passes Waugh's Modular Building Legislation

HARRISBURG – Today Senator Mike Waugh's (R-York) Senate Bill 195, amending the Industrialized Housing Act to regulate the construction of industrialized and commercial modular buildings, was passed unanimously passed by the Senate. 

"I am pleased with the Senate’s swift attention to this issue, seeing as it is a matter of uniformity and safety in the modular building industry," said Waugh. 

Waugh’s legislation would authorize the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to enter a multistate agreement for the purpose of regulating the construction of components of industrialized and commercial modular buildings. 

Currently, DCED regulates and provides standards for manufactured housing.  Senate Bill 195 would establish a similar program for modular buildings used for industrial and commercial purposes. 

"We regulate the modular housing industry to ensure the residents of those units are safe," said Waugh.  "So it only makes sense to do the same for industrialized and commercial modular buildings to ensure the safety of those who are working in them." 

The legislation also defines "industrialized/commercial modular building" and "industrialized/commercial building module" and calls for components of industrialized and commercial buildings that are certified under this program to be deemed to meet the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). 

SB 195 now goes to the House for consideration.