BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1358|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1358
Author: Wolk (D) and Lara (D)
Amended: 5/5/14
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-2, 4/29/14
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Beall, Cannella, Hueso, Lara, Liu,
Pavley
NOES: Galgiani, Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Roth
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 7-0, 5/19/14
AYES: De Le�n, Walters, Gaines, Hill, Lara, Padilla, Steinberg
SUBJECT : Baby changing stations
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires the Building Standards Commission
(BSC) to adopt mandatory building standards for installation of
baby diaper changing accommodations in newly constructed or
renovated public restrooms, as specified.
ANALYSIS : The California Building Standards Law establishes
the BSC and the process for adopting state building codes.
Under this process, relevant state agencies propose amendments
to model building codes, which the BSC must then adopt, modify,
or reject. For example, the Department of Housing and Community
Development is the relevant state agency for residential
building codes. The Office of Statewide Health Planning and
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Development is responsible for hospitals and clinics, and the
Division of the State Architect is the relevant agency for
schools and emergency service buildings. Not all buildings fall
under the jurisdiction of a relevant state agency. Most
commercial, industrial, and manufacturing structures are
considered "local buildings," for which local governments may
determine applicable building standards. With respect to green
building standards, however, existing law gives the BSC the
authority to adopt building standards for these local buildings.
Every three years, the BSC adopts a new version of the
California Building Code, known as the triennial update. State
agencies begin with a model code developed by a national
code-writing entity. They then propose amendments to the model
codes to reflect California needs and priorities and submit to
the BSC the amended model codes. The BSC must then adopt,
modify, or reject the proposed building standards.
Existing law also requires permanent food facilities to provide
toilet facilities for consumers, guests, or invitees where there
is onsite consumption of foods or if the food facility has more
than 20,000 square feet of floor space and was constructed after
July 1, 1984. In addition, all permanent food facilities must
provide hand washing facilities. A violation of these
provisions is a misdemeanor.
Existing law also requires all publicly and privately owned
facilities where the public congregates to be equipped with
sufficient temporary or permanent restrooms to meet the needs of
the public at peak hours.
This bill:
1.Requires the BSC to develop and adopt a mandatory building
standard in the next triennial update of the Building
Standards Code for the installation of baby diaper changing
accommodations in restroom facilities in places of public
accommodation.
2.Applies in new construction or when a bathroom renovation
requires a building permit and the value of the restroom
renovation exceeds $10,000.
3.Permits BSC to expend funds from the Building Standards
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Administration Special Revolving Fund for this purpose.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Minor costs to the BSC to adopt a mandatory building standard
as part of the next triennial update of the Building Standards
Code. (Building Standards Administration Special Revolving
Fund).
Unknown, likely minor costs for state agencies to install
diaper changing stations in state buildings or facilities that
are open to the public and constructed after 2016.
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/21/14)
American Academy of Pediatrics, California District
Association of California Commissions for Women
Equal Rights Advocates
Equality California
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author:
"Baby changing stations provide a safe and clean place to change
babies' diapers. Diaper-changing areas should be included in
both men's and women's restrooms to make it easier for fathers
as well as mothers to assist with child care. Parents who
change their babies' diapers while away from home often find the
availability of public restrooms problematic and difficult to
find. This forces parents to change their babies' diapers on
dirty bathroom floors where they pick up germs. Some parents
give up and prefer to change their infants in their cars, an
option not possible for those who take public transit.
A 2013 study conducted by the Pew Charitable Trusts on modern
parenting found that parenting responsibilities are more equally
distributed between partners than ever before, with fathers
spending triple the amount of time with their children now than
in 1965.
A national market study found that nearly 90% of parents shopped
or visited public places with their children and, of these, 75%
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deliberately sought out establishments that have family friendly
accommodations. Parents visited places with child
accommodations and amenities more often and spent more time
there. Accommodating families with small children is in the
best interest of the health and well-being of babies and
parents."
JA:e 5/22/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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