Baby Changing in Health Centers Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6370

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-01-05T16:06:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Baby Changing in Health Centers Act" (H.R. 6370) aims to improve family-friendly facilities in certain public health centers by requiring the installation of baby changing tables in restrooms. It amends the Public Health Service Act to make this a condition for receiving federal grants, promoting accessibility for parents and caregivers visiting these centers for healthcare services.

Key Provisions

• Requirement for Installation: Health centers receiving grants under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act must equip restrooms with baby changing tables that are physically safe, sanitary, and suitable for changing diapers of children up to 30 pounds. A "baby changing table" is defined as an elevated, freestanding structure (like a pull-out or drop-down surface) designed for this purpose.
• Exceptions:
• Does not apply to restrooms not open to the public.
• Exempt if clear signs direct users to another restroom on the same floor with a changing table (applicable to men's, women's, or gender-neutral restrooms).
• Waived if installing one requires new construction that is not feasible due to cost.
• Compliance with Other Laws: Must align with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires accommodations for people with disabilities (e.g., ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users). It does not override stricter state or local rules on baby changing tables.
• Funding and Flexibility: Grant funds can cover costs for buying and installing tables and signs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) can extend deadlines or waive requirements for extenuating circumstances. An additional $5 million is authorized for grants specifically to help with compliance.
• Timeline: Applies immediately to facilities acquired, built, or substantially renovated after enactment; all other facilities have 5 years to comply.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill adds a new subsection (s) to Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), which governs grants to community health centers. Previously, there were no federal requirements for baby changing tables in these centers' restrooms, so this introduces a new condition tied to grant eligibility, focusing on infrastructure for family needs without altering core health service mandates.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS will oversee enforcement, compliance reviews, and fund distribution, potentially increasing administrative workload but supported by the $5 million authorization. No major budget strain is anticipated due to the targeted funding.
• On Citizens: Parents and caregivers with infants will gain easier access to safe diaper-changing facilities in health centers, reducing inconvenience during medical visits and promoting inclusivity, especially for low-income families served by these centers.
• On Health Centers: Community health centers (about 1,400 nationwide serving underserved areas) must invest in upgrades, but exceptions and funding mitigate costs; non-compliance could risk grant funding.
• International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic public health infrastructure measure.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Health Centers: Primarily federally qualified community health centers receiving Section 330 grants, which provide primary care to millions in underserved communities.
• Families and Caregivers: Parents, guardians, and others with young children who use these centers for healthcare.
• Federal Government: HHS, responsible for grant administration and compliance monitoring.
• State and Local Governments: May influence enforcement if their laws are stricter, but the bill defers to them.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces ADA compliance by tying requirements to disability accommodations, ensuring broad accessibility without creating conflicts. The bill's deference to state/local laws avoids federal overreach, and waivers provide flexibility to prevent undue burdens.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues; it involves conditional spending on federal grants (a standard congressional power under the Spending Clause) and does not infringe on free speech, privacy, or equal protection rights.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Underwood and Van Drew) suggests broad appeal as a practical, family-supportive measure. It could set a precedent for similar accessibility mandates in public facilities, potentially influencing future infrastructure bills, but its narrow scope limits controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Baby Changing in Health Centers Act — issued 2025-12-03 — PDF (5 pages)