New 2022 Texas Accessibility Standards
The TDLR is working on the new 2022 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), which will be the first update to the 2012 TAS. The additions to the new 2022 TAS will be very significant and will incorporate provisions of the Chapter 68 Rules including detention and correctional facilities, the new parking requirements, technical memorandums, technical requirements based on technological advances including adult changing tables and electrical vehicle charging stations, clarification of advisory requirements, and a new chapter on outdoor guidelines including parks and trails. The new standards will also incorporate referenced standards from the 2017 ANSI Standards, where they do not conflict with the federal ADA standards.
The draft will be published on the Department's website on April 8th, 2022, when a 30-day public comment period will commence. There will be a web form that the public may utilize to respond to comments. At the end of the public comment period the TDLR and the advisory work groups, along with other stakeholder groups, will meet to discuss and research the comments. Upon completion a final draft will be prepared and the AB Advisory Board will meet to share the final document for approval and adoption by the Commission.
Proposed Changes to the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)
March, 17th, 2023
According to TDLR the adoption of the 2022 Texas Accessibility Standards has been delayed, until at least the end of this year. TDLR staff and the stakeholders are still reviewing comments received during the 30-day public comment period, which were over 400. Additionally, the Administrative Rules must also be updated and adopted prior to adoption of the new 2022 standards. We need to remind everyone that the final version of the new standards will NOT be retroactive on projects registered with TDLR in the Texas online Architectural Barriers System (TABS) prior to the Effective Date. Once the 2022 TAS has been adopted by the Commission, with an effective date, additional information or instructions will be posted on this page, so check back later in the year.
January 23rd, 2023
We have no update regarding the status of the proposed 2022 TAS and we are awaiting its adoption with an effective date. Past history assures us that projects that are registered with the TDLR prior to the effective date will not be required to be retroactively and incrementally updated to comply with the new 2022 TAS.
April 8, 2022
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation proposes amendments to the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (2012 TAS), adopted by reference at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 68, §68.100, regarding the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program. The proposed amendments include updates to address advances in technology since the adoption of the 2012 TAS and incorporate requirements set forth in TDLR issued technical memoranda.
The proposed amendments were published in the April 8, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 1933). The Department will accept comments on the proposal until May 9, 2022.