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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 27, 2018 04:04 PM |
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| 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 access to bathrooms continue to limit integration and opportunity. This is especially 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 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 2,500 or more people, to install and maintain at least one adult changing station. An adult changing station under my legislation consist 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 to require commercial places of public amusement to install and maintain an adult changing station for adults with disabilities. Since then, other states including Ohio, New Hampshire and Georgia have also introduced similar legislation. Please join me in making Pennsylvania a more accessible place for individuals with disabilities and for the elderly. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB2699