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S71FEDERALpassed_chamber
Passed

Baby Changing on Board Act

May 12, 2026

transportationrailfamily servicesaccessibilityfederal law

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently passed_chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Signed.

Last action
Held at the desk.May 12, 2026
Lead sponsor
Peter Welch

Version history & redline

3 versions on file
Comparing Reported to Senate → Engrossed in Senate
[Generated by AI - not the official text]
No Material Changes to the Baby Changing on Board Act
Amtrak
removed addedOfficial text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 71 removed: Reported added: Engrossed in Senate removed: (RS)] added: (ES)] <DOC> removed: Calendar No. 378 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 71 removed: [Report No. 119-118] To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars. _______________________________________________________________________ removed: IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13, 2025 Mr. Welch (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation April 22, 2026 Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL added: AN ACT To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, removed: <DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED> <DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Baby Changing on Board Act''.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC. 2. INSTALLATION OF BABY CHANGING TABLES ON AMTRAK TRAINS.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) In General.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 24313 the following:</DELETED> <DELETED>``Sec. 24314. Baby changing tables</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(1) ADA-compliant restroom.--The term `ADA- compliant restroom' means a restroom that complies with the requirements set forth in section 242(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12162(a)).</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(2) Baby changing table.--The term `baby changing table' means an elevated, freestanding structure generally designed to support and retain a child with a body weight of up to 30 pounds in a horizontal position for the purpose of allowing an individual to change the child's diaper, including pull-out or drop-down changing surfaces.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(3) Covered passenger rail train.--The term `covered passenger rail train'--</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(A) means a passenger rail train that-- </DELETED> <DELETED> ``(i) is owned and operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (commonly known as `Amtrak'); and</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(ii) was solicited for purchase after the date of the enactment of the Baby Changing on Board Act for use by Amtrak; and</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(B) does not include any passenger rail train that Amtrak operates, but does not own.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(b) Baby Changing Tables.--</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(1) In general.--All covered passenger rail trains shall have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each rail car, including in an ADA-compliant restroom.</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(2) Signage.--Such restroom shall clearly indicate with signage the presence of a baby changing table and such baby changing tables shall be clearly identified with signage.''.</DELETED> <DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 24313 the following:</DELETED> <DELETED>``24314. Baby changing tables.''. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Baby Changing on Board Act''. SEC. 2. INSTALLATION OF BABY CHANGING TABLES ON […] 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 24313 the following: ``24314. Baby changing tables.''. removed: Calendar No. 378 added: Passed the Senate May 11, 2026. Attest: Secretary. 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 71 removed: [Report No. 119-118] _______________________________________________________________________ removed: A BILL added: AN ACT To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars. removed: _______________________________________________________________________ April 22, 2026 Reported with an amendment
Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

Parents and caregivers traveling on new federally funded intercity trains will have access to dedicated diaper-changing facilities, which are currently not required by federal law on all rail cars.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Amtrak

Must ensure new passenger rail cars include baby changing tables and appropriate signage.

Intercity passenger rail service providers

Providers receiving federal financial assistance must comply with the new installation requirements for new rail cars.

Parents and caregivers

Will have access to baby changing facilities on newly built intercity passenger rail cars.

What changed

Current stage: passed_chamber.

What's next

Signed.

Summary

This law requires Amtrak and other federally funded intercity rail services to install baby changing tables in at least one restroom on all newly built passenger rail cars. It also mandates that if a car has an ADA-compliant restroom, that specific restroom must include a changing table.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply to all existing Amtrak trains?
No. The requirement only applies to newly built passenger rail cars solicited for purchase after the Act is enacted.
What is the weight limit for the changing tables?
The tables must be designed to support a child with a body weight of up to 30 pounds.
Are private rail cars included in this requirement?
No, private rail cars used for excursion, recreational, or private transportation are explicitly excluded.

Why It Matters

Parents and caregivers traveling on new federally funded intercity trains will have access to dedicated diaper-changing facilities, which are currently not required by federal law on all rail cars.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Future-proofing rail infrastructure

The legislation focuses exclusively on future procurement, ensuring that the cost of retrofitting is avoided by mandating changes only for newly solicited rail cars.

Amtrak

Connected Entities

organizationAmtrakMap →
otherAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy5
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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