Media Contact:
Felix Facchine
ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
(410) 313-2001

March 21, 2019
For Immediate Release:

Councilmembers Mercer Rigby and Jones to Introduce Legislation Expanding Access to Diaper-Changing Stations

Ellicott City, MD – Howard County Councilmembers Christiana Mercer Rigby and Opel Jones will introduce legislation in April which would expand access to diaper-changing stations in public restrooms of certain buildings in Howard County. This legislation will be cosponsored by Councilmembers Liz Walsh and Deb Jung.

“Since December, I have worked with Councilmember Mercer Rigby to draft legislation supporting diaper-changing stations in public restrooms. As a father, I understand the difficulty parents and guardians face daily when attempting to readily change their children. Moreover, I have personally faced these challenges changing my baby daughter. Passing this legislation would foster a safe, ‘pro-family’ environment for children and guardians throughout Howard County,” said Jones.

“I am happy to join Councilmember Jones in introducing this legislation,” said Mercer Rigby. “As a parent of two young children, I know firsthand that this legislation will help parents and caregivers across Howard County. Parents and caregivers should be able to safely and easily access diaper-changing stations in our public restrooms.”

Currently, there are no county requirements regarding diaper-changing stations in public restrooms. This legislation will amend Howard County’s Building Code to require certain newly-constructed or substantially-renovated buildings to have diaper-changing stations in their public restrooms. Restaurants, theaters, stores, gas stations, and clinics are among some of the buildings that will be impacted by this bill. These stations must be accessible to all parents and caregivers, regardless of their gender.

“I appreciate Councilmembers Mercer Rigby and Jones for introducing this legislation because it helps everyone – dads, moms, and all guardians who deserve access to a safe and clean environment to change diapers,” said Walsh.

“I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation,” said Jung. “Access to diaper-changing stations is important to all caregivers in Howard County, and I am glad this bill seeks to address this gap.”

“Here in Howard County, the health and welfare of our children must remain one of our top priorities,” said Mercer Rigby. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the County Council to pass this bill.”

The proposed legislation was pre-filed on March 21, 2019 and will be introduced at the Council’s legislative session on Monday, April 1, 2019. Testimony will be accepted at the legislative public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019. To sign up to testify, visit https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/otestimony/ . If you would like to submit your testimony electronically, email councilmail@howardcountymd.gov .

To read the legislation, visit https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Legislation

###
Councilwoman Christiana Mercer Rigby