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Mayor de Blasio Signs Law Requiring Changing Tables in Men's and Women's Restrooms

By Bethany Braun-Silva January 10, 2018

Dads get diaper duty too!

UPDATE, Jan. 10, 2018: On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Intro. 1241-A into law, making it so all new public bathrooms for men and women will be required to have diaper changing stations. The law will go into effect starting in July and will also apply to recently renovated public restrooms.

“As a Dad, I know first-hand how frustrating it can be to handle diaper emergencies in public without a changing station,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “This new law will ensure that all parents will have access to these stations in public buildings regardless of their gender, and help make New York City fairer place to live.”

New York City Council member Rafael Espinal introduced new legislation stating that both men's and women's public restrooms in NYC should be fitted with changing tables.

The legislation requires that new building developments install changing tables in both men's and women's public restrooms, and that old developments that are undergoing renovations do so as well. The list of buildings and business includes movie theaters, restaurants, coffee shops, and even nightclubs!

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Espinal told HuffPost that it’s an affordable update. The changing tables cost between $155-$185. “It’s a low cost for a big benefit,” he said.

It will also keep New York City up-to-date on modern parenting practices, as well. After all, it's not just women who change diapers these days. Single dads, gay dads, and male caretakers all need a place to change diapers.

While New York City makes steps to push this legislation into law, there is still no national mandate requiring changing tables in restrooms, at all. “Parents should be changing their children’s diapers with a little more dignity, in a space that’s sanitary,” Espinal told HuffPost.

Espinal expects the bill to be well received despite New York City being the first major city to propose this type of legislation. This exciting legislation will hopefully inspire other states across the nation to take suit.

Originally published on Dec. 12, 2017