[Massplanners] Mandating changing tables through zoning?

Thu Jul 25 15:54:17 EDT 2024

Dwight,

Thank you for your research.  Enacting a law that makes them a requirement
as part of the plumbing code makes logical sense.

Best,

Richard J. McCarthy, Jr.

Town Planner

1 Liberty Lane

Norfolk, MA 02056

508-440-2807

Office Hours- Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm

Closed Fridays

*As a reminder, please do not reply all to this email. If you have any
questions or comments, email me directly. *

*Please be advised that the Secretary of State has determined that e-mail
sent by or received by municipal employees is a public record.*

*From:* Dwight Merriam <dwightmerriam at gmail.com>
*Sent:* Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:41 PM
*To:* Matthew Heins <Matthew.Heins at hanover-ma.gov>
*Cc:* Richard McCarthy <rmccarthy at norfolk.ma.us>; Mass Planners <
massplanners at masscptc.org>
*Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Mandating changing tables through zoning?

My research department* reported this:

Several local and state governments in the United States have enacted laws
requiring changing tables in public restrooms, and the specifics can vary
significantly by jurisdiction.

*Federal Level:* The Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation (BABIES) Act,
passed in 2016, mandates that federal buildings with public restrooms must
have baby changing stations accessible to both men and women.

*State Level:*

   - *California:* Requires baby changing stations in at least one men’s
   and one women’s restroom in many public buildings, including those with a
   high occupancy rate.
   - *New York:* Enacted a law requiring diaper changing stations in both
   men’s and women’s restrooms in public buildings, addressing gender equality
   in diaper changing facilities.
   - *Illinois:* Mandates that all public buildings must provide baby
   changing stations in both men's and women's restrooms.
   - *Maryland:* Requires changing tables in public restrooms in government
   buildings constructed or substantially renovated after October 2019.

*Local Level:*

   - *New York City:* Passed a local law in 2018 requiring changing tables
   in public restrooms of newly constructed or substantially renovated
   buildings, including private commercial buildings.
   - *Honolulu:* Implemented an ordinance in 2015 requiring diaper changing
   stations in new or significantly renovated commercial buildings and
   businesses.

There are ongoing legislative efforts in other states and cities to expand
these requirements to more public and private facilities, reflecting a
growing recognition of the need for accessible changing stations for all
caregivers (HealthyChildren.org
<https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Are-changing-tables-in-all-public-mens-restrooms-now.aspx>)
(NYSenate.gov <https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S8354>)
(Prestige
Distribution
<https://prestigedistribution.com/pages/baby-changing-station-laws>) (Whitman
Legal Solutions LLC
<https://whitmanlegalsolutions.com/blog/2020-diaper-changing-table-law>)
(Seattle's
Child <https://www.seattleschild.com/accessible-diaper-changing-stations/>).

* My research department is ChatGPT.

Regards,

Dwight Merriam, FAICP

www.dwightmerriam.com

See:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5147#:~:text=Bathrooms%20Accessible%20in%20Every%20Situation%20or%20BABIES%20Act,safe%2C%20sanitary%2C%20and%20appropriate
.

https://www.koalabear.com/product-resources/changing-station-resources-landing-page/compliance-homepage/legislation-map/

On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 3:08 PM Matthew Heins via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

Dear Richard & MassPlanners,

Yes, it is a real question, though I know it seems unusual. We’ve had
inquiries from the public about this.

Best,

*Matthew Heins*

Town Planner

Town of Hanover, Massachusetts

matthew.heins at hanover-ma.gov

781-826-7641 (or 781-826-5000 ext. 1016)

Planning Office, Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339

*From:* Richard McCarthy <rmccarthy at norfolk.ma.us>
*Sent:* Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:01 PM
*To:* Matthew Heins <Matthew.Heins at hanover-ma.gov>
*Cc:* Mass Planners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
*Subject:* Mandating changing tables through zoning?

Matthew,

Is this a real question?

Richard J. McCarthy, Jr.

Town Planner

1 Liberty Lane

Norfolk, MA 02056

508-440-2807

Office Hours- Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm

Closed Fridays

*As a reminder, please do not reply all to this email. If you have any
questions or comments, email me directly. *

*Please be advised that the Secretary of State has determined that e-mail
sent by or received by municipal employees is a public record.*

*From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *Matthew
Heins via MassPlanners
*Sent:* Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:49 PM
*To:* MassPlanners at masscptc.org
*Subject:* [Massplanners] Question - Mandating changing tables through
zoning?

Dear MassPlanners members,

A somewhat unusual question for all of you on this Thursday afternoon…

Are you aware of any zoning bylaw, in Massachusetts or elsewhere, which
mandates that there be changing tables (i.e., tables for changing babies’
diapers) in all restrooms in public establishments like restaurants,
retailers, etc.? Are you aware of any proposals or discussions about
putting such a requirement in a city or town’s zoning bylaws or general
bylaws? Do you have any thoughts regarding whether zoning bylaws (as
opposed to general bylaws, building codes, state law, federal law, etc.)
can even mandate something like this?

I appreciate any feedback, information or advice you can provide. Thanks!

Sincerely,

*Matthew Heins*

Town Planner

Town of Hanover, Massachusetts

matthew.heins at hanover-ma.gov

781-826-7641 (or 781-826-5000 ext. 1016)

Planning Office, Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339

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