This New Law Mandating Changing Tables in Men’s Rooms Is Long Overdue

Here’s hoping more states will follow New York's lead in advocating for all parents.

By Shahrzad Warkentin January 18, 2019

One state is finally recognizing the fact that yes, dads actually change diapers, too, by establishing a new law that requires changing tables in men’s rooms.

The new law went into effect Jan. 1, making New York the first state in nation to mandate that all new and renovated buildings with public restrooms be equipped changing tables in both the women’s and the men’s rooms. New York City had previously passed the same law in 2017.

Photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

When the legislation was first introduced last April, New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman explained, “It’s not just moms who change diapers. Dads need to step up and do their part of the dirty work, too. By including my bill for requiring baby changing stations in both male and female restrooms in the final budget, Governor Cuomo and the legislature are taking an important step in recognizing changing parental norms, including a new generation of gay dads like me who no longer should have to change their babies on the bathroom floor because there’s no changing station in the men’s restroom.”

In June 2018, one dad’s Facebook post went viral pointing the sexist double-standard of having changing tables exclusively in women’s restrooms.

This dad was hardly alone, as many dads across the country have taken to social media to express their frustration over the lack of changing tables in men’s rooms.

How many dads out there have had to do this bc there was no changing table in the men's room? Now in NY,all new or substantially renovated bldgs w/public restrooms to have safe changing tables accessible to men & women.I'll have more on new laws at 10 @FOX29Buffalo & 11 @WGRZ. 👶🏻 pic.twitter.com/0FAA7BfzWP
— Kelly Dudzik (@kellydudzikWGRZ) January 2, 2019