On January 12, 2006, Governor Codey signed into law A-3892/S-2696/2725, which amends the New Jersey Fair Housing Act. The Act governs Mt. Laurel affordable housing. The new amendment requires that newly constructed Mt. Laurel housing be adaptable for use by people with mobility impairments. This applies even to townhouses, which are exempt from the requirements of New Jersey's Barrier Free Subcode. The amendment requires that townhouses have a no-step entry, a bathroom and kitchen on the first floor large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, and a ground-floor room that can be used as a bedroom. The Assembly bill was introduced by Assemblyman John McKeon, Mayor of West Orange, and the Senate bills were introduced by Senators Fred Madden and Joseph Doria, Jr.
