Bill Text: NJ S4304 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Requires installation of diaper changing station in certain public restrooms upon new construction or substantial renovation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S4304 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-S4304-Introduced.html

SENATE, No. 4304

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 9, 2019

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires installation of diaper changing station in certain public restrooms upon new construction or substantial renovation.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning diaper changing stations and supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  On each floor level of a group A or M occupancy that is open to the public and maintains a public restroom, the owner shall include a counter or table that is designed as a baby diaper changing station in at least one of its public restrooms for men and for women, respectively, or in a dedicated unisex family restroom, and shall post signage to direct visitors to baby diaper changing station-equipped restrooms. The requirement shall apply only under the following circumstances:

     (1)   when there is construction of a new restroom; or

     (2)   when there is substantial renovation of an existing restroom.

     b.    The owner of a group A or M occupancy who violates the provisions of this section shall be liable for a penalty of not more than $500 for each violation to be collected in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).  The municipal court and the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for the enforcement of the penalties provided by this subsection.

     c.     The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) in order to effectuate the purposes of this section.  The rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, standards for the placement of a baby diaper changing station, standards for the placement and appearance of the required signage, and the frequency and criteria of public access that shall cause a space to be designated as open to the public.

     d.    As used in this section:

     "Group A or M occupancy" means an Assembly Group A occupancy or a Mercantile Group M occupancy, as defined in chapter 3 of the 2018 New Jersey International Building Code or its successor, with the exception of a casino, nightclub, tavern, or bar.

     "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.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, but the Commissioner of Community Affairs may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of the act.

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would require the installation of diaper changing stations in certain public restrooms upon new construction or substantial renovation of the restrooms.

     Under the bill, changing table installations would be required in a newly constructed men's or women's public restroom, if maintained on a publicly-accessible floor of a group A or M occupancy.  It would also require any group A or M occupancy to install changing stations to existing restrooms during renovations that cost $5,000 or more.  The bill would further require the owner of a group A or M occupancy to post signage to direct visitors to baby diaper changing station-equipped restrooms, when those restrooms are newly-constructed or renovated.

     Under the bill, "group A or M occupancy" means an Assembly Group A occupancy or a Mercantile Group M occupancy, as defined in chapter 3 of the 2018 New Jersey International Building Code.  More specifically, the terms encompass the following:

     (1)   assembly group A occupancies, subject to applicable spatial and occupant limits, including but not limited to theaters, banquet halls and restaurants, amusement arcades, art galleries, bowling allies, community halls, courtrooms, dance halls, libraries, places of religious worship, waiting areas in transportation terminals, bleachers and grandstands, and arenas and stadiums; and

     (2)   a mercantile group M occupancy, including but not limited to a department store, drug store, market, motor-fuel dispensing facility, retail or wholesale store, or sales room.

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