Legislation for Universal Changing Stations in California

Access to safe and dignified restroom facilities is an essential part of accessibility for adults with disabilities. For individuals who require assistance with diapering, universal changing stations, often called adult changing tables, provide a necessary space for personal care. In California, the need for these facilities has been formally recognized through state legislation, making it one of the first states in the country to address adult changing stations through law. While access is still developing, California’s approach represents an important step toward more inclusive public spaces.

This article explains the legislation governing universal changing stations in California, outlines which facilities are required to comply, and highlights the role of hygiene solutions such as SPC disposable underpads in maintaining clean and safe changing environments.

California Assembly Bill 662 and the Health and Safety Code

California Assembly Bill 662 added Section 19952.5 to the Health and Safety Code, establishing legal requirements for adult changing stations in certain public facilities. This legislation recognizes that accessibility extends beyond ramps and grab bars and must include appropriate spaces for personal care.

Under Section 19952.5(a), any person, private firm, organization, or corporation that owns or operates a commercial place of public amusement must install and maintain at least one adult changing station for individuals with physical disabilities. The station must be accessible to all genders and available whenever the facility is open to the public. These requirements apply under specific construction and renovation conditions.

When facilities are required to install adult changing stations

The law applies to commercial places of public amusement that are newly constructed on or after January 1, 2020. It also applies to existing facilities that undergo renovation on or after January 1, 2025, when the renovation requires a permit or has an estimated cost of ten thousand dollars or more.

Facilities that had an adult changing table in place before January 1, 2025, are considered compliant under the statute, even if renovations occur later. This provision allows venues that adopted accessibility measures early to remain in compliance without needing additional changes.

Signage and wayfinding requirements

Section 19952.5(b) addresses visibility and wayfinding. Facilities must include clear, conspicuous signage indicating the location of each adult changing station. If a central directory is maintained, the directory must also list the station’s location.

These requirements are intended to reduce the burden on caregivers and individuals with disabilities by making adult changing stations easy to find without the need to ask staff for assistance. Clear signage supports dignity and independence in public spaces.

Facilities covered under the law

The law provides specific definitions to clarify which venues are subject to the requirements. A commercial place of public amusement is defined as an auditorium, convention center, cultural complex, exhibition hall, permanent amusement park, sports arena, or theater or movie house with a maximum occupancy of 2,500 or more people.

Public and private higher education facilities and district agricultural associations are excluded from this definition. As a result, the law primarily targets large, high-capacity venues where extended visits and large crowds make access to adult changing stations especially important.

Definition of an adult changing station

An adult changing station is defined as an adult-sized changing table located within an enclosed restroom or a similarly private space. The station is intended for use by individuals with physical disabilities who require assistance with diapering. Privacy, safety, and dignity are central to the purpose of these stations.

Impact of AB 662 on accessibility in California

The passage of AB 662 marked a turning point in accessibility policy in California. Before this law, adult changing tables were typically installed only when facilities chose to do so voluntarily. By linking requirements to new construction and major renovations, the law supports gradual but consistent improvement in accessibility across the state.

Although the legislation applies primarily to large venues, its influence reaches further. Airports, convention centers, sports arenas, and amusement parks are now more likely to include adult changing stations as part of compliance efforts. Increased visibility has also helped raise public awareness and encouraged other facilities to consider installing adult changing tables even when not legally required.

Hygiene considerations for shared adult changing stations

Hygiene is a key concern when adult changing stations are shared by the public. SPC disposable underpads offer caregivers a practical way to maintain cleanliness and protect both the individual and the changing surface during diaper changes.

These underpads create a clean, absorbent barrier, help manage leaks, and include a waterproof backing that keeps the changing table sanitary for the next user. Disposable underpads are especially helpful in high-traffic public venues where multiple caregivers rely on the same facility throughout the day.

Ongoing challenges and the path forward

While California’s legislation represents meaningful progress, adult changing stations are still not required in many everyday locations such as restaurants, retail stores, and smaller transit facilities. Continued advocacy, education, and voluntary adoption by businesses will be necessary to expand access beyond the scope of current legal requirements.

Legislation for universal changing stations in California reflects growing recognition that accessibility must address the real, day-to-day needs of adults with disabilities and their caregivers. By establishing clear standards through AB 662 and supporting hygienic use with products like SPC disposable underpads, California is helping lay the foundation for public spaces that are safer, more dignified, and more inclusive.

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