S. 71 – Baby Changing on Board Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 12, 2026 at 5:50 AM UTC

The Baby Changing on Board Act directs Amtrak and any other federally funded intercity passenger rail service to install baby‑changing tables in the bathrooms of new passenger rail cars. The rule applies to cars built after the law takes effect and is meant to help families traveling with infants. It does not affect private or historic rail cars.

Key Provisions

Defines a “covered passenger rail car” as any new intercity passenger rail car owned or operated by Amtrak or another rail service that receives federal funding, and that has at least one public restroom.
Requires every covered passenger rail car to have a baby‑changing table in at least one restroom; if the car has an ADA‑compliant public restroom, that restroom must include a changing table.
Mandates clear signage in each restroom indicating the presence of a baby‑changing table and labeling the table itself.
Excludes private rail cars and historic/antiquated passenger cars from the requirement.
Applies only to rail cars that are newly built and ordered after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

May 12, 2026 • 3:11 PM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 13, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

January 13, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

February 12, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-118.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

April 22, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 378.

April 22, 2026

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2204; text: CR S2204)

May 11, 2026

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

May 12, 2026

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

May 12, 2026 • 3:06 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

May 12, 2026 • 3:11 PM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 71 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Thom TillisR-NC · May 11, 2026

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 378, S. 71. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be…

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued May 11, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 71

AN ACT

To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Baby Changing on Board Act.

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:

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.

.

Passed the Senate May 11, 2026.

Secretary