Legislators Idiot-Proof Homes

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Builders Association filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor & Industry claiming new regulations violated the state Constitution. 

Labor & Industry implemented new residential and commercial building codes based on recommendations by the International Code Commission. These recommendations, the Association challenges, are unlawful because the Department did not allow for a state panel to make the commendations but instead accepted proposals from an international study.
 
The Pennsylvania Builders Association warns these changes will add $10,000 to the cost of building a single-family home in the Commonwealth. The more costly and controversial change requires sprinklers be included in every new home built, adding $6,000 to the cost of homes.