Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee narrows diaper-changing bill to new construction after members raise cost concerns
Summary
Senate Bill 443 would require diaper-changing accommodations in public restrooms regardless of gender. Committee members worried the bill's renovation threshold could force many businesses to retrofit facilities; sponsor agreed to remove 'renovations' and limit requirements to new construction to address those concerns.
Senate Bill 443 was presented to require diaper-changing accommodations be equally available in public restrooms regardless of gender, applying to new construction and renovations over a monetary threshold as originally drafted. Several members, including Sen. Caldwell and Sen. Hickey, said the renovation threshold as written could unintentionally trigger installation during routine exterior repairs and lead to costly retrofits for small businesses.
In response, sponsor Representative (now bill sponsor in Senate) said she would strike the 'renovations' language and limit the requirement to new construction; she volunteered to work with committee members to refine thresholds and exemptions. Committee discussion emphasized public-health benefits and the need to avoid imposing heavy retrofit costs on small businesses.
Action: Sponsor offered to amend the bill to remove the renovations trigger; members signaled support for the narrower approach and the sponsor said she would make that change before further action.
