Bill calls for public restrooms to have diaper-changing stations

A bill introduced by Honolulu City Councilman Trevor Ozawa would require newly installed restrooms in business establishments to include diaper-changing stations accessible to women and men.

Ozawa, who became a father 10 months ago, said he was shocked when he tried to change his daughter’s diaper at a public restaurant at a shopping center recently. The restaurant’s personal men’s restroom was too cramped and uncomfortable and even a unisex, familystyle restroom that was part of the greater shopping center was fitted with “a big counter by the sink,” but no actual changing station, he said.

“It was a little awkward,” Ozawa said, noting too often mothers and fathers of young children are relegated to using a park bench or car when nature calls.

Bill 45, which will get its first airing before the Council Wednesday, would require new, publicly accessed establishments to include diaper-changing accommodations in men’s and women’s restrooms, and/or family restrooms. Establishments that make significant renovations and are frequented by families would also need to install diaperchanging stations in their restrooms.

Businesses may seek an exemption to the proposed law if installing a diaperchanging station would be physically impossible or impose a financial hardship, according to the bill.

Research shows the stations cost between several hundred dollars to $2,000 each, he said.

Several major mainland municipalities have adopted similar ordinances and Ozawa’s bill uses the same type of language, he said. Those municipalities include San Francisco and Miami-Dade County.

Bills aimed at requiring changing tables in men’s and women’s restrooms in government buildings and businesses, respectively, were passed by the California Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September.

Ozawa’s bill has the endorsement of the nonprofit Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i, which promotes maternal and children’s health.