Baby Changing in Health Centers Act
Summary
The "Baby Changing in Health Centers Act" aims to amend the Public Health Service Act, mandating that certain health centers equip their restrooms with baby changing tables. This requirement is tied to the receipt of grants under Section 330 of the Act. The bill outlines exceptions for restrooms not accessible to the public or those where alternative baby changing facilities are clearly indicated, and it considers ADA requirements and construction feasibility.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be to increase the availability of baby changing facilities in health centers that receive federal grants. This will likely improve the experience for parents and caregivers visiting these facilities with young children. The Act also authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 to assist health centers in complying with the new requirements.
Potential Benefits
- Increased convenience for parents and caregivers in health centers.
- Improved hygiene and safety for infants and children.
- Potential for increased utilization of health centers by families with young children.
- May encourage other public facilities to provide similar amenities.
- Provides funding to assist health centers in complying with the requirements.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential financial burden on health centers, despite the authorized appropriations.
- Possible delays in grant distribution due to the new compliance requirements.
- Limited scope, as it only applies to health centers receiving federal grants.
- The exception for construction costs could limit the impact in older facilities.
- May lead to increased operational costs for health centers due to maintenance and cleaning of the baby changing tables.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of families and children by ensuring access to basic amenities in healthcare settings. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).