Baby Changing on Board Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Baby Changing on Board Act requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in ADA-compliant public restrooms on covered passenger rail cars and trains. The requirement applies to Amtrak-owned and Amtrak-operated passenger equipment used on routes longer than 750 miles when the train or rail car already has an ADA-compliant public restroom.
The bill defines baby changing table, ADA-compliant restroom, covered passenger rail car, covered passenger rail train, and private accommodation. It requires Amtrak to install the tables within one year after enactment and clarifies that private sleeper-room restrooms are not covered.
Who Benefits and How
Parents and caregivers traveling with infants on Amtrak benefit because long-distance trains would have a safer, dedicated place to change diapers. Infants and young children benefit from cleaner and more accessible changing facilities. Passengers with disabilities benefit indirectly because the requirement is tied to public restrooms that already meet ADA accessibility standards. Baby changing table manufacturers and rail restroom equipment suppliers benefit from new demand for compliant fixtures.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Amtrak must install changing tables in covered equipment, plan restroom retrofits, and maintain the fixtures. Rail car manufacturers and maintenance contractors may need to design or retrofit restroom interiors. Federal taxpayers and Amtrak appropriators may bear some cost if installation is funded through Amtrak capital or operating support.
Key Provisions
- Adds a new baby-changing-table requirement to Chapter 243 of title 49.
- Creates definitions for covered Amtrak passenger rail cars and trains.
- Requires installation in ADA-compliant public restrooms on covered equipment.
- Exempts private accommodations such as sleeper-room restrooms.
- Sets a one-year deadline after enactment for installation.
- Defines baby changing table as a structure designed to support a child up to 30 pounds for diaper changing.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in ADA-compliant public restrooms on covered long-distance passenger rail cars and trains within one year after enactment.
Key Policy Areas
Transportation, Accessibility, Consumer Safety
Primary Purpose
Requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in ADA-compliant public restrooms on covered long-distance passenger rail cars and trains within one year after enactment.
Policy Domains
Whole bill
Identified Gains
- Parents traveling with infants on Amtrak
- Caregivers traveling with young children
- Infants and young children
- Passengers with disabilities using ADA-compliant restrooms
- Baby changing table manufacturers
- Rail restroom equipment suppliers
Identified Costs
- Amtrak
- Rail car manufacturers
- Rail maintenance contractors
- Federal taxpayers
- Amtrak appropriators
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
Passed SenateHeld at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR …
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by …
Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported …
Mr. Welch (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Caregivers traveling with young children, Parents traveling with infants on Amtrak
Passengers with disabilities using ADA-compliant restrooms
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "amtrak"
- → National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
An elevated changing surface designed to support a child up to 30 pounds for diaper changing.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology