The legislature has passed an amendment to The Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act to mandate public amenities for parents with infants.
KMT legislator Wang Yu-Min, who initiated the amendment, spoke Friday about the impact the amendment will have.
"It could solve the problem of fathers unsure of which restroom to take their little girls to. What’s also important about this amendment is that it requires public parking lots to reserve at least 2% of spaces for pregnant women and parents with infants," Wang said. "For parking lots with fewer than 50 spaces, the minimum requirement will be one reserved spot. We’re creating a more convenient and parent-friendly environment for families."
Wang said that public amenities, including government buildings, bus and metro stations, airports, and department stores will be required to provide family-friendly restrooms and parking spaces.
Wang said that Singapore adopted a similar policy in 2013. She said that Taiwan, by contrast, only has 126 restrooms for parents with infants. Wang called on the general public to support this new amendment, which will take effect in two years.