Requesting The Department Of Accounting And General Services, Department Of Land And Natural Resources, And The City And County Of Honolulu Department Of Parks And Recreation To Provide Universal Changing Accommodations In All State Facilities, State Parks, And City And County Parks.
SR215 is a Senate resolution requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation to provide universal changing accommodations in public facilities. The resolution focuses on state facilities, state parks, and city and county parks, and asks that at least one restroom in each location include a height-adjustable changing table or similar accommodation for people who need toileting assistance.
The measure explains that many people with disabilities, along with keiki, kupuna, and caregivers, face barriers when standard restrooms do not meet their needs. It frames universal changing accommodations as a way to provide a safe, sanitary, private, and dignified space for changing, allowing more people to participate in public life and access parks and facilities without having to leave early, return home, or use unsafe alternatives.
SR215 does not directly amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes or create a binding mandate; it is a resolution that requests action from state and local agencies. Its practical impact would be to encourage DAGS, DLNR, and Honolulu Parks and Recreation to install universal changing tables in public restrooms, including in women’s, men’s, and where available family or gender-neutral restrooms. If implemented, it would affect facility planning, restroom design, and accessibility practices across state and Honolulu park properties, with benefits for people with disabilities and their caregivers.
The available voting history suggests broad support for the resolution, as it passed the Senate Government Operations committee 3-0 with amendments. The bill’s findings and framing are strongly affirmative, emphasizing equity, dignity, and inclusion for people with disabilities and families. No opposing testimony or committee debate is provided, but the overall tone of the measure is supportive and access-oriented.
The main policy issue is not whether accessibility matters, but how far and how quickly agencies should be expected to provide universal changing accommodations across public facilities. Potential points of contention include installation costs, space constraints, restroom retrofitting, maintenance, and whether the request should apply to all facilities or only certain locations. The resolution also specifies placement in gendered restrooms and, if available, family or gender-neutral restrooms, which may raise operational questions for agencies responsible for implementation.