SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1555        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 143

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Rebecca L. Rausch

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act providing for diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Rebecca L. Rausch

Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

 

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

2/23/2021

Steven C. Owens

29th Middlesex

2/23/2021

Susan L. Moran

Plymouth and Barnstable

2/26/2021

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

3/1/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1555        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 143

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 143) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Kay Khan, Steven C. Owens, Susan L. Moran and others for legislation to provide for diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2661 OF 2019-2020.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act providing for diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 143 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 100 the following section:-

Section 101. (a) All public buildings shall install and maintain at least one private or semi-private baby diaper changing station accessible to any caretaker regardless of their sex, gender, or disability. All places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, as defined in section 92A of chapter 272, that provide a public bathroom shall install and maintain at least one private or semi-private baby diaper changing station accessible to any caretaker regardless of their sex, gender, or disability.

(b) Signage indicating the location of any baby diaper changing station shall be posted at or near the entrance of a building or place of public accommodation and at or near any station. If there is a central directory identifying, for the benefit of the public, the location of offices, restrooms, and other facilities in the building or public accommodation, that central directory shall indicate the location of any baby diaper changing stations.

(c) This section applies to: (1) all public buildings; (2) public accommodations constructed on or after the effective date of this section; and (3) public accommodations existing on or after the effective date of this section which undergo substantial renovation or remodeling. This section shall not apply to public accommodations that are generally restricted in age to those of 13 years or more.

(d) The provisions of this section shall be implemented in compliance with local, state, and federal laws regarding access for persons with disabilities, and with existing fire, health, and safety standards.