ST PAUL, Minn. — State lawmakers are spending this session reviewing some weighty issues: the need for emergency insulin, gun reform and a bonding bill.
But now you can add diaper changing tables to the list.
“You kind of want to laugh about it, because it’s diapers and poopy diapers and whatever, but it really does matter to folks. I’ve had incredible feedback from people online. Everyone has a story of a time they’ve needed to change their baby and didn’t feel welcome,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jamie Becker-Finn, DFL – Roseville.
Becker-Finn has authored a bill that would update the state building code to require that changing tables are accessible to everyone, whether by putting tables in both the men’s and women’s restrooms or a table in a gender-neutral or family restroom.
The state does not have data on how many bathrooms lack a diaper changing station – or simply have them only in women’s restrooms – but Becker-Finn, who’s also a mother of two, says she decided on the diaper legislation after hearing from constituents and after recalling her own experiences when her children still required changing.
“I’ve also heard stories of dad being really upset about it and just changing their baby on the floor of the restaurant or in the booth,” she said, adding, “The reality is, your options are to leave your baby with a soiled diaper – which is obviously not healthy for your child – or to do it in a place that isn’t necessarily the best place to be dealing with it.”
Becker-Finn said the updated code would only apply to new construction or renovations, wouldn’t cost the state and would deal with both a practical and public health problem. Already, the diaper legislation has cleared one House committee and will be introduced in the Senate later this week.