HOUSE . . . . . . . . No. 4397
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 15, 2024.
The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to
whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 212) of
Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and Bud L. Williams for legislation to provide for
diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations, reports
recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4397) ought to
pass.
For the committee,
JAY D. LIVINGSTONE. 1 of 3
FILED ON: 2/7/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4397
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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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:
1 SECTION 1. Section 93 of chapter 143 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph after the fifth paragraph:-
3Any State owned and maintained public building containing a public toilet room that is newly
4constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026 shall install and maintain at
5least 1 universal changing station. The bathroom shall be conspicuously marked as containing a
6public changing table. The changing table shall be capable of supporting a minimum of 350
7pounds and providing a changing surface of 70 inches minimum in length and 30 inches
8minimum in width and open so that the top of the changing table is at least twenty (20) to
9twenty-five (25) inches off the floor.
10 SECTION 2. Section 93 of said chapter 143 is hereby further amended by inserting the
11following definitions after the sixth paragraph:- 2 of 3
12 “Universal changing station,” an adult sized changing table designed to hold at least
13350lbs that is located within an enclosed restroom facility that is for use by persons of any age
14who require assistance with diapering and is accessible by persons of any sex.
15 "State owned and maintained”, is a building with a public bathroom belonging to, funded
16by, and controlled by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its political subdivisions, and its
17public authorities and other public instrumentalities.
18 SECTION 3. Section 93 of chapter 143 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
19Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following after the definitions: The board shall
20adopt regulations regarding the requirement that any State-owned and maintained public building
21that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026 to install and
22maintain at least 1 universal changing station.
23 (b) The regulations adopted by the Board shall include, but should not be limited to:
24 (1) a requirement that the entrance to each universal changing station has conspicuous
25signage indicating the location of the station;
26 (2) a requirement that if a public building has a central directory, said central directory
27must indicate the location of the universal changing station;
28 (3) a requirement for signage indicating the weight capacity and instructions for operation
29of the changing station within the room;
30 (4) the process for determining exemptions and further details of the exemptions listed in
31Section 4(c);
32 (5) a requirement that all universal changing stations shall: 3 of 3
33 (A) provide safety features of sidebar rails and safety belts;
34 (B) be located inside a private restroom or in a private stall, enclosed area or privacy
35screen within a multi-stall restroom;
36 (C) provide adequate space for assistance for end and side clearance; and
37 (D) comply with all requirements of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act;
38 (6) any other issues regarding implementation that the board deems appropriate.
39 (c) The board shall grant an exemption from the requirements of this section if it
40determines:
41 (1) the installation would not be feasible.
42 (2) the installation would create a condition that does not comply with the Americans
43with Disabilities Act standards for access for persons with disabilities.
44 (3) the installation would destroy the historic significance of a historic property;
45 (4) the building is not frequented by the public; or
46 (5) the cost of the proposed reconstruction or remodeling without the inclusion of a
47changing table does not exceed $10,000