[Pages H2551-H2552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BABY CHANGING ON BOARD ACT

  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 248) to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in 
bathrooms on passenger rail cars.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 248

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     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 restroom.--The term `ADA-compliant 
     restroom' means a restroom

[[Page H2552]]

     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)).
       ``(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.
       ``(3) Covered passenger rail train.--The term `covered 
     passenger rail train'--
       ``(A) means a passenger rail train that--
       ``(i) is owned and operated by the National Railroad 
     Passenger Corporation (commonly known as `Amtrak'); and
       ``(ii) was solicited for purchase after the date of the 
     enactment of the Baby Changing on Board Act for use by 
     Amtrak; and
       ``(B) does not include any passenger rail train that Amtrak 
     operates, but does not own.
       ``(b) Baby Changing Tables.--
       ``(1) In general.--All covered passenger rail trains shall 
     have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each 
     car, including in an ADA-compliant restroom.
       ``(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.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Ezell) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.


                             General Leave

  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 248.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 248, the Baby Changing on Board Act is effective, 
bipartisan legislation intended to help parents better care for their 
children when traveling.
  The bill requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in all ADA-
accessible restrooms on trains owned by Amtrak. These facilities are 
common on other transportation modes, including airlines. They are 
likewise necessary on intercity passenger rails.
  The bipartisan bill is a long, overdue improvement to Amtrak service.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Baby Changing on Board Act. 
This bill requires Amtrak to install baby changing stations in 
accessible bathrooms on new passenger rail cars and include clear 
signage indicating the availability of changing stations. This will 
ensure that parents with young children on Amtrak trains can use 
accessible, safe, and comfortable changing facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation to create a 
safer, cleaner, and more accessible experience for parents and 
caregivers traveling with young children. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Baby Changing on Board Act, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood), the prime sponsor of 
the bill.

                              {time}  1745

  Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan 
bill, the Baby Changing on Board Act. This is a simple, commonsense 
bill, and it is long overdue.
  Every parent deserves the basic dignity of a clean, safe space to 
change their baby's diaper, no matter how they travel. Right now, many 
long-distance trains can go for hours without a single stop.
  Families riding Amtrak shouldn't have to change their babies on the 
floor of a train car or in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. It is simply 
unacceptable, and it is avoidable.
  Mr. Speaker, my bill ensures that every new Amtrak train includes a 
baby-changing table in at least one restroom per car, including ADA-
compliant restrooms, because, let's be real, babies don't wait for 
layovers when they need to be changed.
  Mr. Speaker, I will paint the picture: You are holding your baby in 
one arm, a diaper bag in the other, and probably some other stuff, too. 
You make your way to the restroom with your kids and your bags, only to 
realize there is no changing table. What are you supposed to do?
  This is not a hypothetical. Millions of Americans ride Amtrak every 
year, so those trains should work for everyone, including families with 
young kids. Yet, on many of those trains, parents, usually moms, are 
forced to make an impossible choice: change their child on a dirty 
floor or seat, or just sit there and hope for the best.
  Mr. Speaker, I have heard from families and parents in my northern 
Illinois community who rely on Amtrak, and they are tired of getting 
stuck in this impossible position on trains that don't have safe 
facilities for the littlest riders.
  Since this is a safety issue for these children, it is a public 
health issue. Frankly, it is about dignity. These parents aren't asking 
for luxury. They are asking for a clean, flat surface and some basic 
respect.
  Mr. Speaker, we all know diaper changes are not optional, which is 
why safe baby-changing stations shouldn't be optional, either.
  The Baby Changing on Board Act is about building a country where 
every family has what they need to thrive. That starts with recognizing 
that caregiving matters, parenting matters, and infrastructure should 
actually support it.
  This bill will not solve every challenge that parents face, but it is 
a meaningful step toward a more family-friendly future.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for 
their support of this bill. In particular, I thank the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew) for working to introduce it with me. I urge 
everyone in this Chamber to vote ``yes.''
  Let's make changing a diaper on a train a little less gross and a lot 
more humane.
  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to 
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the 
Baby Changing on Board Act, and I encourage my colleagues to do the 
same. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 248 is long overdue. It provides help for American 
families traveling with young children. It simply makes sense for 
Amtrak to comply with ADA requirements, especially as a recipient of 
Federal funding.
  I was glad to see the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
favorably report this measure, and I look forward to the House doing 
so, as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 248.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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