NY State Senate Bill 2025-S4042

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 31, 2025	referred to disabilities

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2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Disabilities
Law Section:: Civil Rights Law
Laws Affected:: Add §79-r, Civ Rts L; add §148, Pub Bldg L
Versions Introduced in 2023-2024 Legislative Session:: S7697

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides for adult changing tables to be placed within an enclosed restroom facility or other similar private facility that is for use by persons with disabilities who need help with diapering at commercial places of public amusement and state-owned buildings open to the public.

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4042

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the civil rights law and the public buildings law, in
relation to enacting the "traveling with dignity act"

 
PURPOSE:

Relates to establishing the "traveling with dignity act"

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 establishes the short title.

Section 2 amends the civil rights law to define adult changing accommo-
dations and to establish guidelines for the installation of adult chang-
ing accommodations in public spaces.

Section 3 states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Adult changing tables are an incredibly important resource for adults
who struggle with mobility issues and incontinence, allowing them to
access the same amenities as those who are ambulatory. Individuals
cannot participate in society when they do not have a dignified way to
use the restroom. Changing tables and toilets serve similar functions-
they both allow individuals to have a dignified way to relieve them-
selves and clean up afterwards. Both require privacy and safety to
adequately serve their function. And, both result in similar conse-
quences when they are inaccessible; one either compromises their own
physical health and dignity by allowing caregivers to resort to changing
those in their care in spaces that may be unsanitary or unsafe, such as
bathroom floors, or they simply choose to avoid public spaces altogeth-
er.

Lying exposed on a cold, wet, and dirty restroom floor is not only bad
for one's mental health, but also potentially their physical health.
Changing stations also minimize contact with contaminated surfaces,
lowering the chance of infections and viruses. Additionally, tables must
be height-adjustable to make this accommodation accessible to every
person with disabilities who vary in ability, height, and weight, and
allow an easy, safe transfer from a wheelchair.

The United States doesn't have a federal mandate requiring adult-sized
changing stations in public restrooms. The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) which passed in 1990, serves as a landmark civil rights law
aimed at ensuring equal access for people with disabilities. The ADA set
forth requirements for public spaces to implement accessibility elements
such as ramps, mobility devices, and more. Adult-sized changing tables
are as much a part of accessible toileting as grab bars and toilet
stalls that can accommodate wheelchairs.

Unfortunately, adult changing accommodations were not included in the
act, making it imperative for New York State to pass legislation ensur-
ing that public buildings are completely accessible to disabled New
Yorkers. The "Traveling with Dignity" bill seeks to address these gaps,
making it clear that access to adequate restroom facilities is not mere-
ly a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental civil right.  By mandat-
ing the installation of adult changing stations in public spaces, this
bill recognizes that dignity is a civil right-one that allows adults
with disabilities to visit movie theaters, museums, convention centers,
and other public venues with the same ease and comfort as their able-
bodied peers. It acknowledges that every individual, regardless of their
physical abilities, should have access to clean, safe, and private
facilities. This legislation is not just about compliance; it is about
affirming the inherent dignity of all people and ensuring that every New
Yorker can participate in society fully and with respect.

References:

* Health & Human Rights Journal, No Dignity on the Floor: A Human Rights
Argument for Adult-Sized Changing Tables in Public Restrooms in the
United States,  
HTTPS://WWW.NCHI.NLM.NIH.GOVIPMCIARTICLES/ PMC10309150/

* Wasserstrom Blog, Adult Changing Stations Are a Necessity for Inclu-
sive Public Buildings,  
HTTPS://WWW.WASSERSTROM.COM/BLOG/2024/07/24/
ADULT-CHANGINE-STATIONS-ARE-A-NECESSITY-FOR-INCLUSIVE-
PUBLIC-BUILDINGSRLSTSITID-AFMBOODIVIMCFXYLTS3BWI4YGQZHYK8OL
LSQ05FR3GHBWYW55CS458JEVT

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-2024: S7697B/A8373 - Died in Finance/Died in Ways & Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4042
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 31, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  HARCKHAM,  ASHBY, HINCHEY, LIU, MARTINS, ROLISON,
   WEBB, WEBER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be
   committed to the Committee on Disabilities
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the civil rights law and the public buildings law, in
   relation to enacting the "traveling with dignity act"

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 the "traveling with dignity act".
   § 2. The civil rights law is amended by adding a new section  79-r  to
 read as follows:
   §  79-R.  ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS.   1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION,
 THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A) "ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATION"  MEANS  A  HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE  ADULT
 CHANGING  TABLE  THAT  IS  FOR USE BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO NEED
 HELP WITH DIAPERING.
   (B) "COVERED FACILITY" MEANS A COMMERCIAL PLACE OF  PUBLIC  AMUSEMENT,
 INCLUDING  AUDITORIUMS,  THEATRES, CONVENTION CENTERS, EXHIBITION HALLS,
 PERMANENT AMUSEMENT PARKS, AND SPORTS  ARENAS,  FOR  WHICH  THE  MAXIMUM
 OCCUPANCY IS DETERMINED TO BE TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED OR MORE PEOPLE.
   (C) "DISABILITY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBDI-
 VISION  TWENTY-ONE  OF  SECTION  TWO HUNDRED NINETY-TWO OF THE EXECUTIVE
 LAW.
   2. ALL SINGLE-OCCUPANCY BATHROOMS LOCATED IN COVERED FACILITIES  SHALL
 INSTALL  AND  MAINTAIN  AT  LEAST  ONE  ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATION FOR
 PERSONS WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS  OF
 ANY  GENDER  WHEN  THE  FACILITY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND SHALL ENSURE
 THAT SUCH BATHROOM SHALL BE CLEARLY DESIGNATED BY THE POSTING OF SUCH ON
 OR NEAR THE ENTRY DOOR OF EACH BATHROOM, AND,  IF  THE  FACILITY  HAS  A
 CENTRAL DIRECTORY, SHALL ENSURE THAT THE CENTRAL DIRECTORY INDICATES THE
 LOCATION OF THE ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATION, PROVIDED THAT:
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08285-01-5

 S. 4042                             2
 
   (A)  COVERED  FACILITIES  NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER JANUARY FIRST,
 TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
 AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION;
   (B)  EXISTING  COVERED FACILITIES RENOVATED ON OR AFTER JANUARY FIRST,
 TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX,  SHALL  COMPLY  WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
 SECTION AT THE TIME OF RENOVATION; AND
   (C)  ANY  OTHER  EXISTING  COVERED  FACILITY  SHALL  COMPLY  WITH  THE
 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION NO LATER THAN  JANUARY  FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND
 THIRTY-THREE.
   3.  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES, IN COLLAB-
 ORATION WITH THE CHIEF DISABILITY OFFICER, SHALL PROMULGATE  REGULATIONS
 IN  ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING, BUT
 NOT LIMITED TO, SPECIFICATIONS REGARDING THE DIMENSIONS  OF  SUCH  ADULT
 CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS.
   §  3.  The public buildings law is amended by adding a new section 148
 to read as follows:
   § 148. ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS. 1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
   (A) "STATE AGENCY" MEANS ANY STATE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE, BOARD,  BUREAU,
 COMMISSION,    AGENCY,   OR   ANY  PUBLIC  AUTHORITY  OR  PUBLIC BENEFIT
 CORPORATION AT LEAST ONE OF WHOSE MEMBERS IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;
   (B) "STATE-OWNED BUILDING" MEANS ANY BUILDING OWNED BY A STATE  AGENCY
 USED FOR OFFICIAL STATE BUSINESS;
   (C)  "SINGLE-OCCUPANCY  BATHROOM" MEANS A BATHROOM INTENDED FOR USE BY
 NO MORE  THAN ONE OCCUPANT AT A TIME OR FOR FAMILY OR ASSISTED  USE  AND
 WHICH HAS A DOOR FOR ENTRY INTO AND EGRESS FROM THE BATHROOM THAT MAY BE
 LOCKED BY THE OCCUPANT TO ENSURE PRIVACY AND SECURITY; AND
   (D)  "ADULT  CHANGING  ACCOMMODATION"  MEANS A HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE ADULT
 CHANGING TABLE THAT IS FOR USE BY PERSONS  WITH  DISABILITIES  WHO  NEED
 HELP WITH DIAPERING.
   2.  EACH  STATE  AGENCY  SHALL  ENSURE  THAT ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS
 DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES  TO  BE
 OPEN  TO THE PUBLIC SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE SINGLE-OCCUPANCY BATHROOM IN
 SUCH BUILDING WITH AN ADULT CHANGING ACCOMMODATION BY JANUARY FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY-NINE.
   3. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE  OF  GENERAL  SERVICES,  IN  COLLAB-
 ORATION  WITH THE CHIEF DISABILITY OFFICER, SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS
 IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING,  BUT
 NOT  LIMITED  TO,  SPECIFICATIONS REGARDING THE DIMENSIONS OF SUCH ADULT
 CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S4042

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities Committee

co-Sponsors

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S4042

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Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Disabilities Committee

co-Sponsors

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S4042 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments