Picture this: you’re out with your baby, maybe running errands or meeting a friend for coffee, when it’s time for a diaper change. You head to the restroom—and there’s no changing table. Just a cold, tiled floor or a slippery counter that feels anything but safe.
So you do what parents have done for decades: improvise. You kneel on dirty floors. You hover over trash cans. You apologize to your baby. You feel exposed, frustrated, and alone. And you wonder why something so basic still isn’t available in so many public spaces.
This maddeningly familiar moment is exactly what Washington’s new law aims to fix. By requiring changing stations in every restroom, the state is sending a message that’s long overdue: Parenting shouldn’t be a solo sport. It shouldn’t leave moms scrambling while holding the diaper bag and the emotional load. It’s shared. It’s public. And it deserves support to match.
A policy that finally works for all caregivers
Washington’s new law, passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Jay Inslee, requires all new public buildings, and any existing ones undergoing restroom renovations over $15,000 to install baby changing stations in every restroom: men’s, women’s, and gender-neutral.
The bill passed with a 67–28 vote—clear support for caregiving equity.
There are exceptions for spaces where installation is structurally unfeasible or would violate ADA accessibility standards, but the default expectation is clear: if the public uses it, it needs to work for families.
For moms who’ve changed their babies on fast food tables and in the backseat of a car, it’s about time. And it’s a win for every caregiver—dads, nonbinary parents, and solo parents—who’ve spent years adapting to public spaces that weren’t built for us.
The law applies broadly to any building required to provide a public restroom, excluding only spaces where minors are prohibited, like certain industrial or commercial sites. That means libraries, transit stations, community centers, and most other family-friendly public spaces will now be expected to meet a higher, more inclusive standard.
Related: John Legend advocates for diaper changing tables in ALL restrooms
Parents react: “Finally—but why did it take so long?”
Reactions from Washington parents have ranged from grateful to incredulous.
“I have young kids and certainly there have been many corners on the floor where I have changed my baby when I’ve had to,” Rep. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah, sponsor of the bill, told the Washington State Standard.
Related: These viral photos prove dads need changing tables, too
Washington isn’t alone and federal policies still lag behind
Several other states have also taken steps toward changing-table equity. California, Arizona, Illinois, New York, New Mexico, Michigan, and Nevada all have laws requiring changing stations in various types of public buildings. Some cities, including San Francisco, Dallas, and Miami-Dade, go even further by mandating them in private businesses open to the public.
At the federal level, progress has been slower. The BABIES Act, passed in 2016, requires changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms in publicly accessible federal buildings but it doesn’t cover state buildings, transit hubs, or private businesses. That’s where new efforts like the Baby Changing on Board Act come in.
Recently passed by the U.S. House with unanimous support, the bipartisan legislation would require Amtrak to install changing stations in every restroom of its new train cars. Co-led by Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), and Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the bill uses existing funding to close a long-standing accessibility gap in family travel.
“Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe, clean place to care for their kids while traveling,” Underwood said in a statement, “I am so pleased that this legislation has passed the House and is now one step closer to becoming law. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation is a practical and necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak.”
Related: 3 products to make the early days of diaper changing so much easier
It’s about more than convenience
At their core, these policies protect families’ health, respect, and place in public life. Improvising a diaper change in a car trunk or on a bathroom floor is uncomfortable and unsanitary. Studies have shown that restroom floors and counters harbor high levels of bacterial contamination, including E. coli and other harmful pathogens. Changing tables that are properly maintained help prevent the spread of germs and make public spaces safer for everyone.
But perhaps just as importantly, inclusive policies like Washington’s recognize that parenting happens in public, and that all caregivers, regardless of gender or family structure, deserve the support to do it well.
Related: This TikTok ‘mobile changing station’ is a potty training game-changer
How to advocate for change where you live
If you don’t live in Washington but find yourself nodding along, there’s plenty you can do.
- Ask your favorite restaurant or coffee shop if they’ve considered adding a changing station.
- Reach out to your city council or state representatives. Support organizations that advocate for family-friendly policy, like MomsRising, A Better Balance, and the National Women’s Law Center.
- Or simply share your own story. As more people speak up about the everyday challenges of parenting in public spaces, more lawmakers will begin to listen.
Parents aren’t asking for miracles. They just need support that actually shows up. Sometimes, that starts with something as simple and powerful as a clean, safe place to change a diaper.
Sources:
- Washington State Standard. 2025. “Washington bill would require diaper changing stations in more restrooms”
- Congress.gov. 2016. “H.R.5147 – 114th Congress (2015-2016): BABIES Act”
- Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020. “A survey of public restrooms microbial contamination in Tehran city, capital of Iran, during 2019”