For immediate release: Oct. 13, 2015
Press release by:
Councilmember Stacy Crivello, Chair
Housing, Human Services and Transportation Committee
County Office on Aging services, baby diaper-changing accommodations bill on agenda
WAILUKU, Hawaii – A presentation on senior services by the county’s Office on Aging and a bill that would require baby diaper-changing accommodations in certain new establishments are on the Housing, Human Services and Transportation Committee’s agenda for Thursday, Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Committee Chair Stacy Crivello announced today.
“I look forward to receiving information on the many services the Office on Aging provides our community,” Crivello said. “Our seniors and caregiving community should be able to easily access county and nonprofit resources that support daily activities of living, whether through adult day care, chore services, legal assistance, Meals on Wheels, Kaunoa senior programs or transportation options.
“As a demographic, our senior population is growing. It is important they know the county is working for them and they are not alone in facing aging-related concerns.”
The Office on Aging is under the county’s Department of Housing and Human Concerns.
The baby diaper-changing accommodations bill was introduced by Councilmember Elle Cochran and is available for review at MauiCounty.us/hht.
According to the bill, “baby diaper-changing accommodation” means a safe, sanitary and convenient baby diaper-changing station, deck, table or similar amenity installed or placed in a separate, designated location. The accommodation may include stations, decks and tables in women’s and men’s restrooms or family restrooms.
“Diaper-changing accommodations are usually installed in women’s restrooms,” Crivello said. “The bill would require new establishments to also install an accommodation in the men’s room, or alternatively, to have a single accommodation accessible to both men and women.
“The bill challenges the stereotype that only women need access to facilities to change a baby’s diaper, which in today’s cultural norm is inaccurate.”
Testimony may be emailed to hht.committee@mauicounty.us, referencing HHT-1(4) on Office on Aging and HHT-25 on the baby diaper-changing accommodations bill.
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