HOUSE BILL 538

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

G. Andres Romero

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITIES; REQUIRING THAT BABY DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS BE EQUALLY AVAILABLE TO MEN AND WOMEN IN RESTROOM FACILITIES IN A PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION; PROVIDING FOR FINES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC BABY DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS.--

          A. As used in this section:

                (1) "division" means the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department;

                (2) "public accommodation" means:

                     (a) an inn, hotel, motel or other place of lodging except for an establishment located within a building that contains not more than five rooms for rent or hire and that is actually occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as a residence;

                     (b) a restaurant, bar or other establishment serving food or drink;

                     (c) a motion picture house, theater, concert hall, stadium or other place of exhibition or entertainment;

                     (d) an auditorium, convention center, lecture hall or other place of public gathering;

                     (e) a bakery, grocery store, clothing store, shopping center or other sales or rental establishment;

                     (f) a laundromat, bank, barber shop, beauty shop, travel service, funeral parlor, gas station, office of an accountant or lawyer, pharmacy, insurance office, professional office of a health care provider, hospital or other service establishment;

                     (g) a terminal, depot or other station used for public transportation;

                     (h) a museum, library, gallery or other place of public display or collection;

                     (i) a park, zoo, amusement park or other place of recreation;

                     (j) a nursery, elementary, secondary, undergraduate or postgraduate school or other place of education;

                     (k) a daycare center, senior citizen center, homeless shelter, food bank, adoption agency or other social service center establishment; and

                     (l) a gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley, golf course or other place of exercise or recreation; and

                (3) "substantial renovation" means a construction or renovation project requiring a building permit with an estimated cost of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more.

          B. No later than January 1, 2016, the division shall develop and adopt rules governing baby diaper changing stations for restroom facilities in a place of public accommodation. Rules shall afford privacy for the diaper changing station.

          C. A place of public accommodation that has a baby diaper changing station shall provide a station in restrooms for men and in restrooms for women. This requirement applies only under the following circumstances:

                (1) when there is construction of a new restroom or a substantial renovation of a restroom; and

                (2) to the extent it may be implemented in compliance with local, state and federal laws regarding access for persons with disabilities and with existing fire, health and safety standards.

          D. This section shall not be construed to create a private right of action for failure to comply with the provisions of this section or rules adopted in accordance with this section.

          E. The division may assess a fine, not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for violation of the provisions of this section or rules adopted in accordance with this section. Fines shall be credited to the current school fund as provided in Article 12, Section 4 of the constitution of New Mexico.

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