Baby Changing Station Laws
There’s a lot of confusion about baby changing station laws, as parents and caregivers wonder if baby changing stations are required by code, or are asking, is it illegal to not have a baby changing station? Confusion typically centers around the fact that baby changing station laws around the country differ, but there are many commonalities.
The federal government and the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t require baby changing stations. The ADA does however, provide specifications to make sure diaper changing stations are up to code. The Bathroom Accessible In Every Situation Act (BABIES Act)Bathroom Accessible In Every Situation Act (BABIES Act) is a law that requires baby changing stations in women’s and men’s rooms in federal buildings. Beyond these two federal laws, baby changing laws will vary state-by-state, city-by-city and county-by-county.
Baby Changing Station Laws FAQ
Does the ADA require baby changing stations?
No, the ADA doesn’t require baby changing stations in any buildings. The ADA does, however, have a diaper changing station law that provides requirements for baby changing stations, should a business, building or restaurant decide to include one. A separate piece of legislation called the BABIES Act does require baby changing stations for both men’s and women’s rooms, but this law is limited to federal government buildings.
Are baby changing stations required in restaurants?
No, baby changing stations aren’t required by federal law in restaurants. They aren’t required in either women’s or men’s rooms. Local legislation, such as at the state or county level, may be different across the country.
Are baby changing stations required in men's rooms?
No, baby changing stations aren’t required by federal law to be in men’s restrooms. The only case where federal legislation has included a diaper changing law for men’s rooms is through the BABIES Act. This means that baby changing stations are required in men’s rooms of federal government buildings. Local laws may address requirements for baby changing stations in men’s rooms.
Baby Changing Station Legislation Map
- State Legislation
- City Legislation
Legislation Table
| FEDERAL LEGISLATION | LEGISLATION | STATUS | BILL |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | In 2016, the Bathrooms Accessible In Every Situation Act (BABIES Act) requires baby changing accommodations in both male and female restrooms in publicly-accessible federal buildings. | Enacted | Read Full Bill |
| STATE | LEGISLATION | STATUS | BILL |
| Arizona | State: HB-2113 requires all public entities to install at least one changing station suitable for babies and adults when building or overhauling a restroom. | Enacted | Learn More |
| California | State: State: AB-1127 requires a baby diaper changing station in one at least one women’s room, and one men’s room in most public buildings. These include buildings with maximum occupancies over 60 people, shopping centers greater than 25,000 square feet and retail stores over 5,000 square feet, but doesn’t include nightclubs and bars. | Enacted | Learn More |
| - | San Francisco City: S.1110 – Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2017 requires San Francisco International Airport to have baby-changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms. | Provisions Enacted | Learn More |
| - | San Jose City: The “Family Friendly Initiative” will equip city buildings with baby changing stations in all restrooms. | Under Review | Learn More |
| District of Columbia | District of Columbia City: The Equal Access to Changing Tables Amendment Act requires diaper changing accommodations be made available for use by all genders in public DC-owned or occupied buildings, as well as new or substantially renovated businesses and buildings open to the public. | Enacted | Learn More |
| Florida | Miami-Dade City: The Baby Diaper-Changing Accommodations Ordinance of Miami-Dade County requires all new or substantially renovated buildings to provide changing stations in public restrooms. | Enacted | Read More |
| Hawaii | Honolulu City: A bill has been introduced in Honolulu that will require businesses to install baby changing stations in all restrooms. | Enacted | Read More |
| Illinois | State: HB-3711 requires all public buildings to have a baby changing station available to men and women. | Enacted | Learn More |
| Maryland | Baltimore City: A bill has been introduced in Baltimore that will require baby changing stations in all public restrooms. | Enacted | Read More |
| Michigan | State: Section 125.1508a requires that restrooms with baby changing stations in the women's restrooms must also be present in the men's restrooms. | Enacted | Learn More |
| Nevada | State: Assembly Bill 241 requires all public buildings to provide changing stations. | Enacted | Learn More |
| New Mexico | State: HB-205 requires baby changing facilities be included in new construction of all restrooms in public buildings. | Enacted | Learn More |
| New York | State: A law has been introduced which requires all men's restrooms to provide changing stations. | Enacted | Read more |
| - | New York City City: 1241-A requires all new or substantially renovated buildings in New York City to provide changing stations in public restrooms. | Enacted | Learn More |
| Oklahoma | State: HB-3952 has been introduced in Oklahoma, which will require the installation and maintenance of a universal changing station in certain public buildings. | Pending Senate Review | Learn More |
| Texas | Dallas City: An ordinance has been introduced that will require any newly built or renovated city-owned building, privately owned restaurant, theater or retail store will have to provide at least one ''safe, sanitary and convenient diaper changing accommodation'' in each public restroom. | Enacted | Learn More |
| - | San Antonio City: An ordinance has been approved that requires all publicly available restrooms – for men and women – to have baby-changing stations. | Enacted | Learn More |
| Utah | State: HB-303 requires all new or substantially renovated buildings to provide changing stations in public restrooms. | Enacted | Learn More |
| - | Salt Lake City City: SLC-123 requires there be at least one safe, sanitary, convenient, and publicly accessible baby diaper changing station in all public restrooms. | Enacted | Read More |
| Washington | Spokane City: Ordinance C35755 requires baby changing facilities in publicly accessible restrooms in all buildings owned by the City of Spokane. | Enacted | Read More |
| Wisconsin | State: SPS 390.19 has been introduced which requires baby changing stations in public restrooms. | Enacted | Learn More |
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