HB 117 — An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, in uniform construction code, providing for changing stations in places of public accommodation.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 0112 View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill mandates the installation and maintenance of adult changing stations in public accommodations in Pennsylvania.

• Section 306

  Changing stations in places of public accommodation. (a) Installation and maintenance.--An individual, corporation, partnership, company, organization, association or other business entity that owns or manages a place of public accommodation shall install and maintain at least one adult changing station for persons with disabilities or special health care issues or the elderly. Each changing station shall be accessible to both men and women when the place of public accommodation is open to the public and any of the following conditions are met: (1) The place of public accommodation is constructed on or after the date which is two years after the effective date of this subsection. (2) Except as provided in subsection (b), when an alteration or addition is made on or after the date which is four years after the effective date of this subsection to a place of public accommodation which existed before the effective date of this subsection and: (i) the alteration or addition requires a permit; or (ii) the estimated cost of the alteration or addition is $10,000 or more. (b) Compliance.--A place of public accommodation which is subject to subsection (a)(2) and which has an adult changing station in use prior to the date which is four years after the effective date of this subsection, shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of subsection (a). (c) Signage.--A place of public accommodation shall ensure that: (1) the entrance to each adult changing station has conspicuous signage indicating the location of the adult changing station; and (2) if the place of public accommodation has a central directory, the central directory indicates the location of the adult changing station. (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Adult changing station." An adult changing table placed within an enclosed restroom facility or other similar private facility that is for use by older children, the elderly and adults with disabilities or special health care needs. "Adult changing table." A height-adjustable folding ergonomic table, which may be wall-mounted or freestanding, for caregivers providing personal care for older children, the elderly and adults with disabilities or special health care needs. "Commonwealth entity." Any of the following: (1) An executive agency, as that term is defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions). (2) An independent agency, as that term is defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103. (3) The General Assembly and its officers and agencies. (4) An officer or agency of the unified judicial system. "Place of public accommodation." Any of the following: (1) An auditorium, convention center, cultural complex, exhibition hall, permanent amusement park, sports arena, theater or movie house for which the maximum occupancy is determined to be 2,000 or more individuals. (2) A State-owned building. (3) A hospital. (4) A public airport which routinely offers domestic or international flights. "State-owned building." A building which is owned or constructed for a Commonwealth entity. The term includes roadside rest areas maintained by the Department of Transportation under the act of June 7, 1961 (P.L.257, No.151), entitled "An act providing for the construction, erection and maintenance of roadside rests adjacent to State highway routes; providing for the acquisition of interests in land by gift, purchase or condemnation; granting powers to and imposing duties upon the Department of Transportation, the Secretary of Transportation, the Governor and the Department of General Services; authorizing rules and regulations and providing penalties for violations thereof, and making an appropriation."

  This creates a requirement for public accommodations to install adult changing stations to enhance accessibility.

Action History

1. January 28, 2019

   PN 0112 Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Sponsors

• Brandon J. Markosek · Cosponsor
• Jeanne McNeill · Cosponsor
• Brett R. Miller · Primary
• Murt · Cosponsor
• Jared G. Solomon · Cosponsor
• Michael H. Schlossberg · Cosponsor
• Christopher M. Rabb · Cosponsor
• Danielle Friel Otten · Cosponsor
• Kirkland · Cosponsor
• Carol Hill-Evans · Cosponsor
• Dan Frankel · Cosponsor

Subjects