Child changing station in public restroom

An Arizona Senate panel has brought back legislation to require that new or extensively remodeled bathrooms in public buildings incorporate adult changing stations.

According to Tucson.com reporting, this new proposal is similar to a previous measure that had gained unanimous approval last month in a House committee. But that legislation stalled after the Arizona House Rules Committee refused to schedule a similar proposal for a hearing.

This new measure is scaled back and exempts privately owned buildings.

The push for adult changing stations comes from parents and caretakers of disabled adults and children. They detailed for lawmakers personal and health hazards created when children too big to fit on infant changing tables have to be laid on the floors of restrooms.

One mother told the legislators that for the past dozen years she has been unable to fit her now 17-year-old daughter on baby-changing stations.

The floors of bathrooms are considered so dirty they feature a hook so women can hang their purses up rather than leave them on the ground, she said, “But now, I was going to lay my daughter down on the very same floor."

The new bill would not force governments to remodel restrooms. The requirement applies only when there is an entirely new bathroom being constructed or there is a “total renovation” that costs at least $50,000 and removes wall, floor and ceiling finishes, as well as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing fixtures.

For more information, read the full article here.