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03/29/2024 08:39 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=33708
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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 22, 2020 11:40 AM
From: Representative Dan L. Miller
To: All House members
Subject: Adult Changing Facilities
 
Accessibility has always been at the heart of disability advocacy, and while the Americans with Disabilities Act has opened many doors, for some people with disabilities, integration and opportunity continue to be limited by access to restrooms. This is especially true for people who require adult changing tables. Currently, caregivers must resort to changing these individuals in the backs of vans or on blankets spread on restroom floors – or they just don’t go out at all.

It is for this reason that I plan to re-introduce legislation requiring state-owned buildings and certain places of public accommodation, including auditoriums, convention centers, sports arenas and amusement parks with a maximum occupancy of 2,000 or more people, to install and maintain at least one adult changing station. An adult changing station under my legislation consists of an adult changing table placed within an enclosed restroom facility.

Adult changing tables allow caretakers to more easily and safely assist elderly individuals or those with disabilities or special healthcare needs who may not be fully able to care for themselves. The risk of injury to caregivers is reduced, and individuals who require assistance will receive it in a space that allows for their privacy and dignity to be respected.

California enacted legislation in 2015 that requires commercial places of public amusement to install and maintain an adult changing station for adults with disabilities. A 2019 Arizona law requires a changing station in newly constructed public buildings or when certain renovations occur. Other states, including Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, New Hampshire and Georgia, have also introduced legislation that addresses this need.

Please join me in making Pennsylvania a more accessible place for individuals with disabilities and for the elderly.

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Introduced as HB411