New York Issues Law To Require Changing Tables In Men’s Restrooms, And Parents Are So Happy

Jan 16, 2019 by apost team

When a state passes a new law, the populace either nods in approval and grimaces in annoyance. A new law recently passed in New York has Empire State residents quite thrilled. Parents, especially, are happy about regulations requiring men's room now being required to house changing tables.

Under regulations, any new public men's restroom in New York must come with a changing table. The law doesn't extend to private establishments though. Nor is there any requirements for old public restrooms to undergo retrofitting. Regardless, the news proves welcome to parents who had no options for changing little ones. If a men's room didn't come with a changing room, some folks -- and their babies -- were out of luck.

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Governor Andrew Cuomo highlighted the importance of the bill as it relates to working parents. Not everyone out in public with a small child travels during off hours. A working person with limited time runs into great inconveniences when unable to find a restroom with a changing table.

Trying to find a commercial business with no requirements to use the bathroom that also has a men's room changing table isn't easy. Even in the Big Apple, a parent could find the search impossible. At least as far as new public restrooms go, help -- and better men's rooms -- are on the way.

Now, the law also puts the same mandate for a changing table on women's restrooms as well. Public and private women's rooms don't usually lack changing tables to the degree men's rooms do, but exceptions and oversights exist. And yes, there are many privately-operated men's rooms that do come with a changing table. 

Hopefully, the private sector will follow the government's lead and ensure new men's rooms come with a changing table. Local governments could also take the lead and retrofit their current restrooms, so changing tables aren't absent.

Why don't all restrooms come with changing tables? A nefarious plot isn't likely at work here. Sometimes, people in charge don't think things all the way through. A stereotypical assumption may lead local officials to assume only someone who uses a women's room accompanies a young child.

That just isn't the case in all instances. And then there are those public and private managers who look to save money. Buying and installing a changing table comes with costs. Follow-up maintenance, as minor as it may be, isn't always avoidable. Unless the law tells them to put a changing table inside a restroom, they won't do it.

Do you know someone who would find this information helpful? Tell the person about it -- even if they don't live in New York. People all over the world could find this law to be inspiring.