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Committee defers resolution on universal changing accommodations in state and county parks
Summary
Lawmakers deferred SCR 239 SD1 after state parks officials warned retrofitting existing comfort stations would be costly and raise design challenges; supporters urged a needs assessment to guide future action.
The House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness on April 10 deferred SCR 239 SD1, a resolution requesting state and county parks departments provide universal changing accommodations in state facilities, state parks and city and county parks.
During testimony, Gerald Chioji of the Department of Accounting and General Services signaled concerns and submitted formal comments. Kurt Cottrell, administrator for the Division of State Parks, said the department appreciates the measure’s intent but warned retrofitting existing comfort stations would be "a pretty significant" undertaking because of vandalism, homelessness-related maintenance issues and space constraints tied to ADA requirements. Cottrell said, "we don't even have infant folding tables" in many comfort stations and urged that accommodations be incorporated into new designs rather than required for all existing facilities.
The nut graf: Supporters framed the resolution as a step toward equitable access for people with disabilities and older adults; parks officials cautioned that retrofitting 73 comfort stations statewide would involve substantial design and maintenance costs and could conflict with existing ADA layout requirements.
Samia Gorham, an intern at the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, said accessible facilities are "essential to ensuring independence of our individuals living with disabilities" and voiced the council’s support for the measure. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center also submitted support, while the City and County parks department registered opposition.
Committee members asked parks officials whether they had received complaints about the lack of changing accommodations; Cottrell said in his roughly 34-year career at DLNR he has not received complaints requesting adult changing facilities but recommended the departments consider the idea for new construction and conduct a needs assessment before broad retrofit mandates.
Chair moved to defer the resolution so departments could work with stakeholders to craft a more detailed approach. Several members urged that the state and county parks departments conduct a needs assessment and prioritize high-use facilities and populations such as older adults and people with disabilities. Representative Amato said people with disabilities are often "viewed as invisible" and urged the committee to recraft the measure in the next session.
Outcome: the committee deferred SCR 239 SD1 and asked agencies to continue the discussion and produce data that could inform future legislation or funding requests.
