Section R310.6 of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended to read as follows:

R310.6 Alterations or repairs of existing basements. Dwellings for which the building permit for the initial construction of that dwelling was issued prior to September 15, 2001, are exempt from the emergency escape and rescue opening requirements for subsequent basement remodels; provided, however, that exemption shall only apply if the basement has not been expanded subsequent to September 15, 2001, or that basement does not at any time contain any sleeping areas. Conversion of any habitable area to a sleeping area at any time will trigger the emergency escape and rescue requirements in R310.1. All currently existing openings that provide for emergency escape and rescue, regardless of whether or not they comply with R310.1, cannot be removed or altered without bringing the basement into full compliance with the minimum requirements of this section, regardless of when building permits for the dwelling were issued.