Text of MA H 209 (2024)

1 of 1 HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 581 FILED ON: 1/13/2023 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 209 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _________________ PRESENTED BY: Steven Owens and Simon Cataldo _________________ 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: DATE ADDED: Steven Owens 29th Middlesex 1/10/2023 Simon Cataldo 14th Middlesex 1/24/2023 Sean Garballey 23rd Middlesex 1/30/2023 Carmine Lawrence Gentile 13th Middlesex 2/14/2023 James B. Eldridge Middlesex and Worcester 2/14/2023 1 of 2 HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 581 FILED ON: 1/13/2023 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 209 By Representatives Owens of Watertown and Cataldo of Concord, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 209) of Steven Owens, Simon Cataldo and others for legislation to provide for diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _______________ In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court (2023-2024) _______________ 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: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 143 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after 2 section 100 the following section:- 3 Section 101. (a) All public buildings shall install and maintain at least one private or 4 semi-private baby diaper changing station accessible to any caretaker regardless of their sex, 5 gender, or disability. All places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, as defined in 6 section 92A of chapter 272, that provide a public bathroom shall install and maintain at least one 7 private or semi-private baby diaper changing station accessible to any caretaker regardless of 8 their sex, gender, or disability. 9 (b) Signage indicating the location of any baby diaper changing station shall be posted at 10 or near the entrance of a building or place of public accommodation and at or near any station. If 11 there is a central directory identifying, for the benefit of the public, the location of offices, 2 of 2 12 restrooms, and other facilities in the building or public accommodation, that central directory 13 shall indicate the location of any baby diaper changing stations. 14 (c) This section applies to: (1) all public buildings; (2) public accommodations 15 constructed on or after the effective date of this section; and (3) public accommodations existing 16 on or after the effective date of this section which undergo substantial renovation or remodeling. 17 This section shall not apply to public accommodations that are generally restricted in age to 18 those of 13 years or more. 19 (d) The provisions of this section shall be implemented in compliance with local, state, 20 and federal laws regarding access for persons with disabilities, and with existing fire, health, and 21 safety standards.