Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
05/01/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB138 | |
| HB195 | |
| HB64 | |
| HB141 | |
| HB64 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 195 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 141-PUBLIC BUILDINGS: CHANGING FACILITIES
4:33:38 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 141, "An Act relating to universal changing
facilities in public buildings."
4:34:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, briefly presented HB 141. She said that HB 141
would require the installation of at least one changing facility
that is universal in all public buildings during renovation or
construction that costs over $30,000. She said that the
addition of these changing tables would foster inclusion for all
people, regardless of age, disability status, or medical
condition. She added that seven states have passed bills
similar to HB 141 into law.
4:35:29 PM
GRIFFEN SUKKAEW, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Carrick, prime
sponsor of HB 141, stated that there are many benefits of
universal changing facilities, including ensuring all people are
treated with dignity, regardless of age, disability status, or
medical condition. He said that these facilities would require
private, safe, hygienic restroom spaces for all individuals. He
stated that they would also increase public involvement by
increasing inclusion and decreasing isolation of individuals,
their families, and their caretakers. He then displayed images
for the committee to better understand the installation process
and stated that they typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
4:37:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that she included Alaska's deferred
maintenance listed in her slideshow to illustrate the scope of
what would be fixed under HB 141.
4:38:02 PM
MR. SUKKAEW said that seven states have already passed
legislation relating to the use of universal changing
facilities. He listed those states as well as the four states
pending similar legislation.
4:38:51 PM
CHAIR MINA, in response to Representative Carrick, asked for the
presentation of the sectional analysis.
4:39:07 PM
MR. SUKKAEW gave the sectional analysis for HB 141 [included in
the committee file], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Section 1. Amends AS 18.35 by adding a section
18.35.150 which relates to universal changing
facilities in public buildings.
Subsection a. Establishes requirements for the
instillation of at least one universal changing
facility in all public buildings during any new
construction or remodel that costs over $30,000. These
requirements include
-buildings having at least one public restroom with a
universal changing facility
-buildings having at least one universal changing
facility in both the men's and women's
restroom if all restroom in the building are divided
by gender
Subsection b. Establishes exemptions to subsection a.
These exemptions include
-if the instillation of a universal changing facility
is not practicable
-if the instillation of a universal changing facility
would cause the restroom to no longer meet accessible
building standards
Subsection c. Establishes that the owner or building
tenant must report the location of the universal
changing facility
Subsection d. Establishes that the department must
include the location of the universal changing
facility on the departments publicly accessible
website
Subsection e. Requires that the department adopt
regulations which establish the standards of universal
changing facilities
Subsection f. Establishes that the violation of these
requirements results in an individual right to sue,
with court ordered awards that may include prevailing
plaintiff injunctive and declaratory relief, actual
damages, and attorney fees and costs
Subsection g. Definitions
-establishes the "department" to be the Department of
Transportation and Public facilities
- establishes "public building" to be a building that
is owned, controlled, and held by the state or
political subdivision of the state for public use, or
a public transportation facility which is supported by
public finds
-establishes a "universal changing facility" to be a
table or device that is suitable for providing
personal care for both a child and an adult
4:41:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY, referring to page 1, line 15, in Section 1
of HB 141, expressed concern that the "not practicable" language
would provide an "easy out" to avoid universal changing
facilities. He asked if there is a standard for what would be
considered practicable or not.
4:42:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK responded that this is one issue with the
current language of HB 141, stating that it would be up to the
committee to define what would be practicable and not. She
added that "practicable" is commonly used in statute.
4:43:17 PM
MR. SUKKAEW, in response to questions from Representative Gray,
stated that the fourth floor of the Capitol does not have a
universal changing facility; it is just a larger youth changing
table. He said that the weight limit for a universal changing
facility should hold up to 400 pounds and measure 70 inches by
30 inches.
4:44:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to Representative Gray,
stated that the cost of installing a universal changing facility
can vary, depending on the different styles of the facility.
She added that the larger, gender neutral bathroom on the ground
floor of the Capitol would be the most effective renovation
location.
4:46:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to Representative Prax,
stated that universal changing facilities are not required under
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but there are many
state facilities that do not currently meet all ADA
requirements.
4:46:38 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony on HB 141.
4:46:54 PM
CHELSEA BURKE, Health and Social Services Planner, State of
Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education,
testified in support of HB 141. She said that HB 141 would
address the right that all Alaskans have to safe, sanitary, and
hygienic restroom facilities. She said that currently, many
individuals with complex disabilities are required to change in
unsafe, unsanitary, and undignified ways in public buildings,
including often on the floors of restrooms. She emphasized that
HB 141 would ensure privacy and dignity, and would allow
individuals with disabilities, their families, and their
caregivers to participate more fully in community life, without
constantly worrying if sanitary accommodation would be
available. She referred to Judy Edwards, another invited
testifier, and her personal story that inspired change in the
Anchorage community. She said that HB 141 would send the clear
message that all Alaskans are welcome, wanted, and included in
public spaces.
4:50:20 PM
JUDY EDWARDS, Campaign Advocate, Changing Spaces - Alaska
Chapter, testified in support of HB 141. She shared a personal
anecdote about a medical trip she took with her son, during
which she had to change him on the Ted Stevens Anchorage
International Airport bathroom floor in the middle of the night.
She described the experience for both herself and her son as
risky, difficult, and demeaning. She said that when she knows
there might not be a proper changing facility available, she
limits her son's intakes to avoid the need for a restroom while
traveling, which is unsafe for him. Ms. Edwards added that her
other options include leaving her son in spoiled clothing, which
is extremely unsanitary, or avoiding social situations in
general. She emphasized that even hospitals lack proper
changing facilities for people with complex disabilities and
emphasized the committee to support HB 141.
4:53:55 PM
MS. EDWARDS, in response to a question from Chair Mina, said
that she is only aware of a few universal changing facilities in
Alaska, including at the Arts Center in Anchorage and the Mat-Su
Health Foundation in Wasilla.
4:54:40 PM
WENDY CLOYD, Board Member, Key Coalition of Alaska, testified in
support of HB 141. She described her professional and personal
experience advocating for individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. She said that many with
intellectual and developmental disabilities experience
incontinence and universal changing facilities would ensure
equity and inclusion for all individuals in public spaces. She
shared a story of changing her son in a public restroom tucked
in a tiny stall for privacy and shared that many individuals and
caregivers must leave events when they lack sanitary changing
facilities. She emphasized that universal changing facilities
provide dignity, privacy, and safety for personal care. She
said that the Key Coalition of Alaska strongly supports HB 141.
4:57:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX requested a call to discuss the practical
aspects of HB 141.
4:57:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted that there is a nationwide map
online that shows only two universal changing facilities in
public facilities in Alaska.
4:58:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS asked how the renovation limit on cost was
decided.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK responded that that threshold was
suggested by the Governor's Council on Disabilities and that she
supports the proposed limit.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS asked if there is an international building
code or other standard for the construction of universal
changing facilities.
CHAIR MINA noted that there are individuals online available to
answer questions.
5:00:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK deferred to someone online to answer
Representative Mears' question.
5:01:11 PM
CHRISTOPHER HODGIN, Statewide Public Facilities Chief, Division
of Facility Services, Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT&PF), responded that he is not aware of a
standard for universal changing facilities within the
international building codes.
5:02:38 PM
MR. SUKKAEW added that there is code regarding universal
changing facilities in the 2024 international building code,
under Section 1110.4
5:03:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to a question from
Representative Prax, said that $30,000 is not a lot for
construction or renovation projects, and the intent of HB 141
would indeed be to install as many universal changing facilities
as possible.
5:05:10 PM
MR. HODGIN said that the majority of DOT&PF's remodels and
renovations cost over $30,000.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if there is a threshold when a repair
would exceed "normal maintenance" covered under the operating
budget.
MR. HODGIN responded that he is unaware of a threshold of that
kind.
5:06:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to a question from
Representative Gray, said that questions regarding the fiscal
note could be directed to the department. She agreed that
having one free-standing changing table in every public facility
in Alaska could be a cost-effective way to mitigate this
problem.
5:09:28 PM
CHAIR MINA asked about the cost of installing the universal
changing facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International
Airport.
5:09:57 PM
MR. HODGIN responded that the installation cost $70,000. He
said that it included extending the restroom space and
electrical system.
5:10:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE said that the words "public building"
are very broad and that many public buildings in the state have
no public restrooms.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK responded that she shares those concerns
and she supports the committee working to clarify language in HB
141.
CHAIR MINA thanked DOT&PF for its work on the fiscal note. She
noted that there are 706 public facilities in Alaska, and she
said that she supports narrowing the language of the bill. She
asked Mr. Mills to provide clarity on the fiscal note.
5:13:56 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, responded
that the fiscal note illustrates the interagency funding that
would be required for the installation of a universal changing
facility. He said he appreciates Representative Gray's problem
solving.
CHAIR MINA asked what the funding mechanism in the budget is
that would enable the installation of these facilities.
MR. MILLS responded there would be exemptions for the case where
the installation of a universal changing facility is not
practicable. He said that he would help analyze and define what
the threshold for what "practicable" conditions for installation
would be.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to Representative Gray, said
that her intention, as prime sponsor, would be to have at least
one universal changing facility in every public-school building,
and two to three facilities for each university campus in the
state. She reiterated that she is very interested in working
with the committee to refine the language of HB 141. She
emphasized that if cost were not a barrier, she would like to
see a universal changing facility in every single public
building.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that he thinks HB 141 is a good
idea but is way too broad of an idea. He expressed concern
about laws being abused.
CHAIR MINA clarified that someone's disability cannot always be
identified by their appearance and that not all disabled
individuals use a wheelchair.
5:21:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK emphasized, "You can't use what is not
available for you to use." She said that this is a clear and
present need and that the legislature should do what it can to
address this need.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX agreed that this is a need and expressed
hope to accommodate it. He emphasized that the legislature
cannot accommodate all needs.
5:22:37 PM
CHAIR MINA announced HB 141 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB141 Sectional Analysis version A.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB141 Sponsor Statement version A.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB141-DOT-DFS-04-12-2025.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB 141 Combined Bill Packet 04.30.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB 141 Letters of Support 04.14.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB 141 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB141 Presentation.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB 195 Letters of Support 04.30.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 195 |
| HB 138 Letters of Support 04.30.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/1/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 138 |