HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 982        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 256

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John J. Lawn, Jr. and Sean Garballey

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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 requiring universal changing stations in public buildings.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 982        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 256

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act requiring universal changing stations in public buildings.

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. Section 93 of chapter 143 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph after the fifth paragraph:- Any State owned and maintained public building or place of public accommodation containing a public toilet room that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2025 shall install and maintain at least one universal changing station. The bathroom shall be conspicuously marked as containing a public universal size changing table. The changing table shall   be capable of supporting a minimum of 350 pounds and providing a changing surface of 70 inches minimum in length and 30 inches minimum in width. The changing surface height shall be adjustable at variable heights from 17 inches minimum to 38 inches maximum above the floor as measured to the top of the changing surface.

SECTION 2. Section 93 of said chapter 143 is hereby further amended by inserting the following definitions after the sixth paragraph:-

“Universal changing station,” an adult sized changing table designed to hold at least 350lbs that is located       within an enclosed restroom facility that is for use by persons of any age who require assistance with diapering and is accessible by persons of any sex.

"State owned and maintained”, is a building with a public bathroom belonging to, funded by, and controlled by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its political subdivisions, and its public authorities and other public instrumentalities.

SECTION 3. Section 93 of chapter 143 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following after the definitions: The board shall adopt regulations regarding the requirement that any State-owned and maintained public building that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2025 to install and maintain at least one universal changing station.

(b) The regulations adopted by the Board shall be aligned with the specifications determined in the 2024 International Building Code section 1110.4, Adult Changing Stations and the International Code Council A117.1 Supplement 1: Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; Section 613: Adult Changing Stations. These include but are not limited to:

(1) a requirement that the entrance to each universal changing station has conspicuous signage indicating the location of the station;

(2) a requirement that if a public building has a central directory, said central directory must indicate the location of the universal changing station;

(3) a requirement for signage indicating the weight capacity and instructions for operation of the changing station within the room;

(4) a requirement that all universal changing stations shall:

(A) be equipped with a height-adjustable changing table capable of supporting a minimum of 350 pounds and providing a changing surface of 70 inches minimum in length and 30 inches minimum in width. The changing surface height shall be adjustable at variable heights from 17 inches minimum to 38 inches maximum above the floor as measured to the top of the changing surface;

(B) provide safety features of sidebar rails and safety belts;

(C) be located inside a private restroom or in a private stall, enclosed area or privacy screen within a multi-stall restroom;

(D) provide adequate space for assistance, following the IBC guidelines for end and side clearance; and

(E) comply with all requirements of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act;

(5) any other issues regarding implementation that the board deems appropriate.

(c) If the Board determines that the inclusion of a wall mounted, adjustable height Universal Changing Table is not feasible or would destroy historic significance of a historic property, the Board may allow instead for the placement of a freestanding, mobile, height-adjustable Universal Changing Table.

(d) The Board may grant an exemption from the requirements of this section if it determines: 

(1) the installation would create a condition that does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for access for persons with disabilities. 

(2) the cost of the proposed reconstruction or remodeling without the inclusion of a changing table does not exceed $10,000.