Baby Changing Station Laws in Texas
Many parents and caregivers in Texas are wondering, is it illegal to not have a baby changing station? Well, yes and no, as certain cities have differing laws than those mandated by the state. In 2019 a Texas statewide baby changing station law was presented, but failed to pass. Since then, a number of major Texas cities have enacted baby changing station laws.
Dallas was the first city, who in April 2019 passed a diaper changing station law that requires all new commercial buildings, and newly renovated commercial buildings with mercantile and assembly uses - grocery stores, movie theaters and restaurants, for example - require baby changing stations in all of their bathrooms. Likewise for San Antonio, who enacted a similar baby changing station law in March 2020, and Austin, who passed their law in November 2020.
It should be noted that these are new laws, and only apply to new buildings, or newly renovated buildings. This means that these laws are not fully implemented, and it’s unknown how much progress has been made.
Federal Baby Changing Laws Applicable in Texas
- The S.1110 - Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2017 is a law that requires all medium and large “hub” airports to have a lactation room in every terminal.
- The Bathroom Accessible In Every Situation Act (BABIES Act) requires women’s and men’s bathrooms to have a baby changing station in all federal buildings.
Baby Changing Station Laws FAQ in Texas
Does the ADA require baby changing stations in Texas?
No, the ADA doesn’t require baby changing stations in any buildings in Texas. The ADA does, however, provide baby changing stations requirements by code if any buildings decide to include one in their bathrooms or elsewhere. Another piece of legislation called the Bathroom Accessible In Every Situation Act (BABIES Act), requires baby changing stations for both men’s and women’s rooms in federal government buildings in Texas, and every other state.
Are baby changing stations required in Texas restaurants?
No, baby changing stations aren’t required by federal law in restaurants in Texas. However, the cities of Dallas, San Antonio and Austin have enacted laws that require diaper changing stations in both men’s and women’s rooms in new restaurants, and newly renovated restaurants.
Are baby changing stations required in Texas men's rooms?
No, baby changing stations aren’t required by federal law to be in men’s restrooms in Texas. The exceptions are in federal government buildings, as required by the BABIES Act. The other exceptions are the cities of Dallas, San Antonio and Austin, who each enacted similar laws that require baby changing stations in men’s rooms in newly constructed and newly renovated commercial buildings.
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 Here |
| Hawaii | Honolulu City: A bill has been introduced in Honolulu that will require businesses to install baby changing stations in all restrooms. | Enacted | Read Here |
| 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 Here |
| 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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