[Massplanners] Mandating changing tables through zoning?

Thu Jul 25 16:54:21 EDT 2024

I'll bite. Have not seen any, but, as a person who's spouse is in a
wheelchair, it would be a good thing for all establishments to have one
family restroom that could be equipped with such a changing table. Family
restrooms allow for transfer assistance. Traveling cross-country, the
number of interstate rest stops where someone needs to check a restroom to
see if it is vacant, and to have to ask a total stranger to guard the
door...

Daniel Fortier,  AICP
Retired Planner

On Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 2:55 PM Richard McCarthy via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> 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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