Testimony by Arizona mothers and nurses — forced to change diapers for adults with disabilities on unsanitary bathroom floors — has moved lawmakers to support placing changing tables in public government-owned restrooms.
The Arizona Senate Committee on Health and Human Services approved the House bill Wednesday.
Marianne Scott described the challenges she and her family continues to face in restrooms now that her daughter is too big to continue changing her in the back of their car.
"We were soon left to change her on public bathroom floors, floors that have been walked on by shoes from all walks of life, shoes that have filth and germs being left with every step,'' said Scott.
A similar House bill had unanimous support, but died when a committee chairman tabled it because all public restrooms — government or privately owned — would be forced to accommodate families.
If the newer bill becomes law, it would require only newly built or fully remodeled bathrooms in government buildings provide adult-size changing tables.
