PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Sep 29, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it passed the House on September 21, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation or BABIES Act
(Sec. 2) This bill requires restrooms in a public building to be equipped with baby changing facilities that the General Services Administration (GSA) determines are physically safe, sanitary, and appropriate. "Public building" means a public building controlled by the GSA's Public Building Service.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Such requirement shall be subject to any reasonable accommodations that may be made for individuals in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Such requirement shall be inapplicable:
to a restroom in a public building that is not available or accessible for public use,
to a restroom that contains clear and conspicuous signage indicating where a restroom with a baby changing table is located on the same floor of such building,
if new construction would be required to install a baby changing facility in the building and the cost of such construction is unfeasible, or
to a building not subject to an alteration for which any appropriations must be approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
People & committees
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] · D–RI
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 114-235.
Became Public Law No: 114-235.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6255-6256)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6255-6256)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 34 (Roll no. 541). (text: CR 09/20/2016 H5701)
House roll call 541 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 34 (Roll no. 541).(text: CR 09/20/2016 H5701)
House roll call 541 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5767-5768)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5147.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5701-5702)
Mr. Barletta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 605.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-774.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 114-774.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5147 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.5147 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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