<p dir="ltr">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...<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Daniel Fortier,  AICP <br>
Retired Planner </p>
<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 2:55 PM Richard McCarthy via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="m_5567814847957119905WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d">Dwight,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d">Thank you for your research.  Enacting a law that makes them a requirement as part of the plumbing code makes logical sense.  </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d">Best,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Richard J. McCarthy, Jr.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Town Planner</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">1 Liberty Lane</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Norfolk, MA 02056</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">508-440-2807</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Office Hours- Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Closed Fridays</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red">As a reminder, please do not reply all to this email. If you have any questions or comments, email me directly. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red">Please be advised that the Secretary of State has determined that e-mail sent by or received by municipal employees is a public record.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Dwight Merriam <<a href="mailto:dwightmerriam@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">dwightmerriam@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:41 PM<br><b>To:</b> Matthew Heins <<a href="mailto:Matthew.Heins@hanover-ma.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Matthew.Heins@hanover-ma.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Richard McCarthy <<a href="mailto:rmccarthy@norfolk.ma.us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">rmccarthy@norfolk.ma.us</a>>; Mass Planners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Mandating changing tables through zoning?</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal">My research department* reported this:</p><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p>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.</p><p><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Federal Level:</span></strong> 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.</p><p><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">State Level:</span></strong></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">California:</span></strong> 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.</li><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">New York:</span></strong> 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.</li><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Illinois:</span></strong> Mandates that all public buildings must provide baby changing stations in both men's and women's restrooms.</li><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Maryland:</span></strong> Requires changing tables in public restrooms in government buildings constructed or substantially renovated after October 2019.</li></ul><p><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Local Level:</span></strong></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">New York City:</span></strong> Passed a local law in 2018 requiring changing tables in public restrooms of newly constructed or substantially renovated buildings, including private commercial buildings.</li><li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Honolulu:</span></strong> Implemented an ordinance in 2015 requiring diaper changing stations in new or significantly renovated commercial buildings and businesses.</li></ul><p>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<span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary"> (</span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-"><a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Are-changing-tables-in-all-public-mens-restrooms-now.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">HealthyChildren.org</a></span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary">) (</span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-"><a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S8354" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">NYSenate.gov</a></span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary">) (</span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-"><a href="https://prestigedistribution.com/pages/baby-changing-station-laws" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Prestige Distribution</a></span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary">) (</span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-"><a href="https://whitmanlegalsolutions.com/blog/2020-diaper-changing-table-law" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Whitman Legal Solutions LLC</a></span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary">) (</span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-"><a href="https://www.seattleschild.com/accessible-diaper-changing-stations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Seattle's Child</a></span><span class="m_5567814847957119905gmail-text-token-text-secondary">)</span>.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">* My research department is ChatGPT.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Regards,</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Dwight Merriam, FAICP</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dwightmerriam.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">www.dwightmerriam.com</a></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">See:</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="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" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">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</a>.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.koalabear.com/product-resources/changing-station-resources-landing-page/compliance-homepage/legislation-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.koalabear.com/product-resources/changing-station-resources-landing-page/compliance-homepage/legislation-map/</a></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 3:08 PM Matthew Heins via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:</p></div><blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in"><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Richard & MassPlanners,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Yes, it is a real question, though I know it seems unusual. We’ve had inquiries from the public about this.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Best,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Matthew Heins</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Town Planner</p><p class="MsoNormal">Town of Hanover, Massachusetts</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:matthew.heins@hanover-ma.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">matthew.heins@hanover-ma.gov</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">781-826-7641 (or 781-826-5000 ext. 1016)</p><p class="MsoNormal">Planning Office, Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339</p></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Richard McCarthy <<a href="mailto:rmccarthy@norfolk.ma.us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">rmccarthy@norfolk.ma.us</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:01 PM<br><b>To:</b> Matthew Heins <<a href="mailto:Matthew.Heins@hanover-ma.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Matthew.Heins@hanover-ma.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Mass Planners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Mandating changing tables through zoning?</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d">Matthew,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d">Is this a real question?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Richard J. McCarthy, Jr.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Town Planner</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">1 Liberty Lane</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Norfolk, MA 02056</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">508-440-2807</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Office Hours- Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d">Closed Fridays</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red">As a reminder, please do not reply all to this email. If you have any questions or comments, email me directly. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:red">Please be advised that the Secretary of State has determined that e-mail sent by or received by municipal employees is a public record.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Matthew Heins via MassPlanners<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:49 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [Massplanners] Question - Mandating changing tables through zoning?</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear MassPlanners members,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A somewhat unusual question for all of you on this Thursday afternoon…</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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?</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">I appreciate any feedback, information or advice you can provide. Thanks!</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Matthew Heins</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Town Planner</p><p class="MsoNormal">Town of Hanover, Massachusetts</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:matthew.heins@hanover-ma.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">matthew.heins@hanover-ma.gov</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">781-826-7641 (or 781-826-5000 ext. 1016)</p><p class="MsoNormal">Planning Office, Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>MassPlanners mailing list<br><a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a><br><a href="http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org</a></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div>
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