OLYMPIA, WA – Many parents share the common experience of having to change a child’s diaper at the back of a car or the corner of a room when there isn’t a changing station available.

Washington lawmakers are looking to increase the availability of diaper changing stations in new or remodeled buildings with House Bill 1562 so that every parent or caretaker, regardless of their gender, has a place to change their child’s diapers.

The state House approved the bill Tuesday on a 67-28 vote.

“I have young kids and certainly there have been many corners on the floor where I have changed my baby when I’ve had to,” said Rep. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah, sponsor of the bill.

The bill would require baby diaper changing stations in women’s, men’s, or gender-neutral restrooms, in newly constructed public buildings or existing public buildings with remodeling projects that cost over $15,000.

Any public restroom that does not contain a diaper changing station must have clear signs that indicate which restroom a changing station is located in.

Those who do not comply could get a warning from a city or county attorney for the first violation, followed by a $125 civil penalty for the second and subsequent violations.

The biggest concerns around previous versions of the bill were around safety and drug use, particularly that needles might be found on changing stations. There were also concerns about the impacts on small businesses.

Amendments were introduced by Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, on the House floor to allow businesses to remove changing stations if they become a problem due to drug use in restrooms. One of these amendments was adopted.

Griffey said some on the Republican side voted against the bill because they “think it’s still too burdensome for small businesses.”

The bill was originally introduced in 2018 by Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia. In a floor speech, Doglio said she recently saw a parent changing their child’s diaper on the table of a restaurant when a changing station wasn’t available and was reminded why she introduced the bill.

It now awaits action in the Senate. If passed by both chambers, the bill would take effect 90 days after the session concludes.

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