Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H212 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 275 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 212
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act requiring universal changing stations in public buildings.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.12th Hampden1/10/2023Bud L. Williams11th Hampden2/23/2023 1 of 3
16	16	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 275 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
17	17	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 212
18	18	By Representative Puppolo of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 212) of
19	19	Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and Bud L. Williams for legislation to provide for diaper changing
20	20	stations in public buildings and accommodations. Children, Families and Persons with
21	21	Disabilities.
22	22	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23	23	_______________
24	24	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
25	25	(2023-2024)
26	26	_______________
27	27	An Act requiring universal changing stations in public buildings.
28	28	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
29	29	of the same, as follows:
30	30	1 SECTION 1. The fourth paragraph of section 13A of chapter 22 of the General Laws, as
31	31	2appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:-
32	32	3The board shall also make rules and regulations requiring that any public building or place of
33	33	4public accommodation that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January
34	34	51, 2026 shall install and maintain at least 1 universal changing station.
35	35	6 SECTION 2. Said section 13A of said chapter 22, as so appearing, is hereby further
36	36	7amended by inserting after the definition of “physically handicapped person” the following
37	37	8definition:- “Place of public accommodation,” public parks, rest stops and all other areas defined
38	38	9as places of public accommodation in section 92A of chapter 272 of the General Laws.
39	39	10 SECTION 3. Said section 13A of said chapter 22, as so appearing, is hereby further
40	40	11amended by inserting after the definition of “Remodeling” the following definition:- “Universal 2 of 3
41	41	12changing station,” a changing station within an enclosed restroom facility that is for use by
42	42	13persons of any age who require assistance with diapering and is accessible by persons of any sex.
43	43	14 SECTION 4. (a) The architectural access board established in section 13A of chapter 22
44	44	15of the General Laws shall, by January 1, 2024, adopt regulations requiring any public building
45	45	16that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026 to install and
46	46	17maintain at least 1 universal changing station.
47	47	18 (b) The regulations adopted by the architectural access board pursuant to this section
48	48	19shall include the following:
49	49	20 (1) a requirement that the entrance to each universal changing station has conspicuous
50	50	21signage indicating the location of the station;
51	51	22 (2) a requirement that if a public building has a central directory, said central directory
52	52	23must indicate the location of the universal changing station; and
53	53	24 (3) a requirement that all universal changing stations shall:
54	54	25 (A) be capable of supporting up to 350 pounds;
55	55	26 (B) be equipped with a height-adjustable changing table;
56	56	27 (C) be located inside a private restroom or in a private stall, enclosed area or privacy
57	57	28screen within a multi-stall restroom;
58	58	29 (D) provide adequate space for assistance; and
59	59	30 (E) comply with all requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. 3 of 3
60	60	31 (c) The architectural access board may grant an exemption from the requirements of this
61	61	32section if it determines:
62	62	33 (1) the installation would not be feasible;
63	63	34 (2) the installation would result in a failure to comply with the Americans with
64	64	35Disabilities Act standards for access for persons with disabilities;
65	65	36 (3) the installation would destroy the historic significance of a historic property; or
66	66	37 (4) the building is not frequented by the public.