BABY CHANGING ON BOARD ACT

On 2026-05-11, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered a floor speech titled "BABY CHANGING ON BOARD ACT" in the Senate.

BABY CHANGING ON BOARD ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2204] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] BABY CHANGING ON BOARD ACT Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 378, S. 71. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 71) to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Baby Changing on Board Act''. SEC. 2. INSTALLATION OF BABY CHANGING TABLES ON AMTRAK TRAINS. (a) In General.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 24313 the following: ``Sec. 24314. Baby changing tables ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) ADA-compliant public restroom.--The term `ADA- compliant public restroom' means a restroom that is not in a private accommodation and complies with the requirements set forth in section 242(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12162(a)). ``(2) Baby changing table.--The term `baby changing table' means an elevated 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. ``(3) Covered passenger rail car.--The term `covered passenger rail car'-- ``(A) means a passenger rail car that-- ``(i) is owned and operated by-- ``(I) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (commonly known as `Amtrak'); or ``(II) another intercity passenger rail service provider that-- ``(aa) is the recipient or subrecipient of Federal financial assistance; or ``(bb) is a primary beneficiary of Federal financial assistance from a project for which another entity has received Federal financial assistance; ``(ii) is newly built and was solicited for purchase after the date of the enactment of the Baby Changing on Board Act; and ``(iii) has at least one restroom that is not in a private accommodation; and ``(B) does not include-- ``(i) a private rail car; or ``(ii) a historical or antiquated rail passenger car (as defined in section 304(c)(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12184(c)(2))). ``(4) Private rail car.--The term `private rail car' means rail rolling equipment that is used only for excursion, recreational, or private transportation purposes. ``(b) Baby Changing Tables.-- ``(1) In general.--All covered passenger rail cars shall have a baby changing table in at least one restroom, and when an ADA-compliant public restroom is present in the covered passenger car, such restroom shall have a baby changing table. ``(2) Signage.--Each restroom described in paragraph (1) shall clearly indicate with signage the presence of a baby changing table and such baby changing tables shall be clearly identified with signage.''. (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: ``24314. Baby changing tables.''. Mr. TILLIS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to. The bill (S. 71), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S71, S71