BABIES Act heads to Washington for approval

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate passed a bill put forth by Rhode Island’s own, Rep. David Cicilline.

This bipartisan bill known as Bathrooms Accessible for Babies in Every Situation (BABIES) Act passed the House on Sept. 21st, 2016, by a vote of 389-34.

It will now go to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

According to the bill, there will be a requirement that there be publicly-accessible, federal buildings equipped with baby-changing facilities in both male and female restrooms.

Authorities say within two years of enactment of the BABIES Act, General Services Administration-controlled, publicly-accessible federal buildings, including Social Security offices, some post offices, and courthouses, will be required to have at least one baby-changing station available on each floor.

There will also be signage indicating the location of the nearest available baby-changing station.

It will also be mandatory that the GSA approve baby-changing stations as “physically safe, sanitary, and appropriate.”

Statistics say nearly 80 percent of parents with children under the age of 6 have used a baby changing station, with 34 percent reporting that they use a station at least once a month.

Several cities and counties have already passed laws requiring changing tables be available in men’s and women’s restrooms, but this legislation imposes those requirements in federal buildings all over the country.

Sources say the lack of adequate baby-changing facilities in publicly-accessible federal buildings leaves parents no choice but to change children on the floor, or on the countertop of a public restroom, thus putting the health and safety of the baby and the other restroom patrons at risk.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016