H. B. 2973


(By Delegates Azinger and Long)

[Introduced February 12, 2003; referred to the

Committee on the Judiciary.]





A BILL to amend article six, chapter sixteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section fourteen-a, relating to requiring grab bars to be installed in all hotel and motel tubs and showers.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article six, chapter sixteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section fourteen-a, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 6. HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.

§16-6-14a. Washrooms; tubs and showers equipped with safety grab bars.

All hotels and motels in this state shall have a secure grab bar installed to serve each tub and shower intended for the use of guests by the first day of July, 2006.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for the protection of elderly or infirm persons from injuries due to falls in tubs and showers.

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.