United States 119th Congress Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

S 71 — Baby Changing on Board Act

Last action — Held at the desk.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 46% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Baby Changing on Board ActThis bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

6 added · 64 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of the bill now includes that it passed the Senate on May 11, 2026, and removes the previous title and specific section that defined the legislation's purpose regarding baby changing tables on Amtrak trains. This change means that the bill no longer includes a short title or detailed provisions, focusing instead on its procedural status.

→
Previous
Latest
71 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
71 Engrossed in Senate (ES)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
378 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
71 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.
71 [Report No.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
119-118] To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.
_______________________________________________________________________ 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 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, <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 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.
Calendar No.
Passed the Senate May 11, 2026.
378 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
Attest:
71 [Report No.
Secretary.
119-118] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.
119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
_______________________________________________________________________ April 22, 2026 Reported with an amendment
71 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

What Congress says this changes

S. Rept. 119-118

Published by the reporting committee Not generated — this is the committee's own “Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported”.

Text to be removed appears in [brackets]. Newly inserted text is italicised in the official report and cannot be marked in this plain-text rendition — read the official PDF ↗ for the authoritative formatting. 

changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

 UNITED STATES CODE

 * * * * * * *

 TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 * * * * * * *

 Subtitle V--Rail Programs

 * * * * * * * 

 PART C--PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

 * * * * * * * 

 CHAPTER 243--AMTRAK

 * * * * * * *

Sec. 24313. Rail safety system program

 In consultation with rail labor organizations, Amtrak shall 
maintain a rail safety system program for employees working on 
property owned by Amtrak. The program shall be a model for 
other rail carriers to use in developing safety programs. The 
program shall include--
 (1) periodic analyses of accident information, 
 including primary and secondary causes;
 (2) periodic evaluations of the activities of the 
 program, particularly specific steps taken in response 
 to an accident;
 (3) periodic reports on amounts spent for 
 occupational health and safety activities of the 
 program;
 (4) periodic reports on reduced costs and personal 
 injuries because of accident prevention activities of 
 the program;
 (5) periodic reports on direct accident costs, 
 including claims related to accidents; and
 (6) reports and evaluations of other information 
 Amtrak considers appropriate.

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.

 * * * * * * *

Source: S. Rept. 119-118 · govinfo

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

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

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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

  7. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

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

  9. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  10. Received in the House.

  11. Held at the desk.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 545 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (545)

545 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 545 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S 71 do?
Baby Changing on Board ActThis bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.
Who sponsors S 71?
S 71 is sponsored by Welch, Peter (Democratic) and Blackburn, Marsha (Republican).
What is the current status of S 71?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track S 71?
Track S 71 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S 71

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S 71

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →