Public Safety and Security Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-121
AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS IN
Title: PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/11/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Public Safety and Security Committee
Co-sponsors:
Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist.
Rep. Gregory Haddad, 54th Dist.
Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist.
Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, 111th Dist.
Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, 17th Dist.
Sen. Christine Cohen, 12th Dist.
Rep. Kevin Ryan, 139th Dist.
Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, 133rd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will revise the State Building Codes for new construction and substantially renovated
buildings to include areas for Diaper Changing Stations that include access for men and
women.
Currently, most diaper changing stations are in women's bathrooms making it necessary for
men to find other places to change a child's diaper. Everyone deserves a safe, clean,
sanitary and convenient place to change their child. This would make it building code that
there be at least one diaper changing table that is accessible to women and one that is
accessible to men.
Substitute language
This bill will become effective no later than January 1, 2022. "Each new constructed or
substantially renovated" was change to "after such revision, each new construction or
substantial renovations of a" was added for clarifications.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Senate Democrats, Connecticut General Assembly
Senate Democrats write in support of this bill. Too often diaper changing stations are only
located in women's restrooms, preventing fathers from properly caring for their child. Fathers
out in public alone and same-sex couples don't have the option of using the women's
restroom for the changing station. Often men are forced to change their children's diapers in
unsafe and unsanitary conditions. They use a car or a dirty floor and in this day in age it is
not acceptable.
Kelly McConney Moore, Interim Sr. Policy Counsel, ACLU-CT
Ms. Moore writes in support of this bill. The ACLU-CT strongly encourages support for this
bill, there core belief is that parents and caregivers, regardless of gender should be afforded
the same opportunities to care for children. Women will no longer be tasked with the sole
responsibility and importantly the ability to consistently be able to change their child's diaper
in a CT public building. CT should be a leader in gender equality.
Michelle Noehren
Ms. Noehren writes in support of this bill. This bill would ensure that there are baby changing
stations in both men's and women's restrooms in public buildings. Baby stations in women's
restrooms only is unfair to male caregivers who are out with a baby.
Alise P, Terryville, CT
Alise P. writes in support of this bill. I have changed my child in expensive restaurants on
expensive marble counters and I am sure other people were not happy, as well as on the
floor of a bathroom. My husband must use the women's restroom when he goes out with the
kids because of no changing stations. Dad's even get excluded from being a parent when
the need to change their child in public places. The list goes on, but I am sure you get the
point.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed
Reported by: Bonnie Gray, Asst. Clerk Date: 3/30/21
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