Bill · S. 5125· Senate(119-S-5125)
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/23/2026
- Last activity
- 7/23/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tammy Duckworth
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires newly constructed single-family houses, town houses, modular homes, and certain ground-floor units that receive federal assistance to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities. Under Section 3, these covered dwelling units must ensure that at least one level complies with specific ANSI standards for visitable units. Section 4 outlines enforcement mechanisms, which require applicants for federal assistance to submit assurances of compliance and architectural plans to state or local agencies for review. The bill also authorizes private civil actions by aggrieved persons and civil actions by the Attorney General to enforce compliance, allowing for damages, injunctions, and retrofitting. Additionally, Section 5 clarifies that state laws providing the same or greater rights are not limited, while laws permitting violations of this Act are invalid. Section 7 ensures that if any provision of the Act is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+9
The act requires that new federally assisted homes include at least one level that complies with ANSI visitability standards.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+8
The bill mandates that federally assisted housing must meet specific ANSI visitability standards for people with disabilities.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill allows aggrieved persons to sue for actual and punitive damages if visitability standards are not met.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities: Under Section 3, covered dwelling units must have at least one level that complies with specific ANSI standards for visitable units. This provision ensures that newly constructed, federally assisted homes are accessible to persons with disabilities.
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Enforcement and Accountability: Under Section 4(c) and Section 4(d), aggrieved persons and the Attorney General may bring civil actions in federal court against responsible parties for violations. This provides individuals with a direct legal remedy to hold builders and state or local agencies accountable for accessibility failures.
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Remedies and Retrofitting: Under Section 4(e), courts may award actual and punitive damages, temporary or permanent injunctions, or orders requiring the retrofitting of the covered dwelling unit. This provision helps ensure that non-compliant homes can be physically corrected to meet visitability standards.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Liability for State or Local Agencies: Under Section 4(c)(2)(A), if approved architectural or construction plans violate the Act and construction is performed in accordance with those plans, the State or local agency shall be liable for that construction. This could impose financial and legal burdens on local government agencies involved in plan approvals.
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Plan Approval Requirements for Builders: Under Section 4(b), applicants for federal assistance must submit architectural, interior design, and construction plans to appropriate State or local agencies for approval and include a notice of federal assistance. This creates additional administrative requirements and procedural steps for individuals and entities constructing homes.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+9Good For Low Income Households+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+8Improves Affordable Housing+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+3
- 7/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.