Bill Text: NJ A412 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires installation of grab bars in certain public restrooms.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [A412 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A412-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Requires installation of grab bars in certain public restrooms.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning accessible public restrooms and supplementing P.L.1971, c.269 (C.52:32-4 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Substantial renovation" means a construction or renovation project requiring a building permit and where the value of the renovation to the restroom exceeds $5,000.
b. Any public building that maintains public restrooms shall equip its restrooms with grab bars, which shall be reachable by a person of average height, in order to assist the person in maneuvering in or out of the restroom's toilet stalls, in accordance with the following:
(1) In a public restroom containing not less than three but not more than four toilet stalls, at least two toilet stalls shall be equipped with grab bars.
(2) In a public restroom containing not less than five but not more than nine toilet stalls, at least three toilet stalls shall be equipped with grab bars.
(3) In a public restroom containing not less than 10 but not more than 15 toilet stalls, at least six toilet stalls shall be equipped with grab bars.
(4) In a public restroom containing 16 or more toilet stalls, at least one-third of the restroom's toilet stalls shall be equipped with grab bars.
c. The installation of grab bars shall be made in accordance with the barrier free subcode, adopted pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and shall be a requirement upon the effective date of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill); provided, however, this section shall be enforced only under the following circumstances:
(1) When there is construction of a new restroom.
(2) When there is substantial renovation of a restroom.
d. Each toilet stall equipped with grab bars shall be identified with a clearly visible sign displaying the International Symbol of Access.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require a minimum number of toilet stalls equipped with grab bars in any newly constructed public restroom maintained in public buildings within the State. It would also require any public building to install a minimum number of grab bars during renovations to existing restrooms, costing $5,000 or more. A restroom containing between three and four toilet stalls would be required to have at least two toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A restroom containing between five and nine toilet stalls would be required to have at least three toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A restroom containing between 10 and 15 toilet stalls would be required to have at least six toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. Restrooms with 16 or more toilet stalls would be required to have at least one-third of the restroom's toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A clearly visible sign displaying the International Symbol of Access must identify any toilet stall containing grab bars.
