Feds Standardize Changing Stations for All Ages and Abilities
Published Date: 2/18/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is working on new rules to make universal changing stations easier to use for everyone, including people with disabilities. These rules will cover how the stations and their rooms should be private, clean, and accessible. Businesses and public places will need to follow these standards once finalized, and the public can share their thoughts by April 20, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Airport Grant Rule: One Changing Room Per Terminal
Beginning in fiscal year 2030, medium and large hub airports applying for airport development grants must provide written assurance that they will install or maintain at least 1 private single room with a universal changing station in each passenger terminal building. This requirement comes from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and applies to airport grant applicants starting in fiscal year 2030.
New Technical Standards for Changing Tables
The Access Board will develop technical accessibility standards for universal changing tables covering the table surface (size, weight capacity, height adjustability, maneuvering clearances, and side rails) and may incorporate section 613.4 of ICC A117.1-2017 with Supplement 1 by reference or create a federal standard drawn from ADA/ABA guidelines. Once finalized, businesses and public facilities that must follow the rule will need to purchase or install tables that meet those technical criteria.
Considering Continuous Height Adjustability
The Access Board is considering requiring a universal changing table surface that is continuously adjustable within a specified height range. Existing federal Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE) standards specify adjustment from 17 inches to 25 inches with at least four additional 1-inch incremental positions, while ICC A117.1-2017 requires adjustability from 17 inches to 38 inches without specifying incremental heights. The Board seeks comments on the best approach.
Room Privacy, Sanitation, and Equipment Standards
The Board will set standards for the rooms that house universal changing tables addressing privacy, accessibility, and sanitation equipment. The Board may require elements such as a toilet, sink, soap dispenser, hand towel dispenser, waste receptacle, coat hook, bench or seating, a counter, and a lockable door, or incorporate A117.1-2017 Section 613.2.1 by reference.
Rule Scope Limited to Airport Grant-Related Locations
The Access Board states the forthcoming regulation will be limited to providing technical accessibility standards for the universal changing tables required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and will not seek to require universal changing tables in other places or circumstances beyond that statutory scope.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-21884 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission of Proposed Information Collection; Online Training Request Form for OMB Review
The Access Board is asking for approval to start a new online form that lets people and local governments easily request training. This change makes it simpler to get help and doesn’t cost anyone extra. You can share your thoughts on this plan until January 5, 2026.
2025-21836 — Performance Review Board Membership
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board just named new members to its Performance Review Board, which checks how well senior executives are doing their jobs. Since the board is small, it brought in experts from other federal agencies to help out. This update affects senior leaders and keeps the review process fair and fresh, with no changes to pay or timing announced.
2026-06489 — GENIUS Act Broad-Based Principles for Determining Whether a State-Level Regulatory Regime Is Substantially Similar to the Federal Regulatory Framework
The Treasury is setting clear rules to decide when a state's stablecoin regulations match federal rules under the GENIUS Act. This helps stablecoin businesses know if they can follow just one set of rules instead of two, saving time and money. People and companies have until June 2, 2026, to share their thoughts before the rules become final.
2026-06563 — Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA wants Airbus A350-941 owners to fix a problem where some wing and belly parts weren’t tightened right during manufacturing. They’ll need to replace certain parts and add extra protection to keep the plane safe. Comments on this plan are open until May 18, 2026, and the fixes might cost some time and money but will keep flights safe and sound.
2026-06492 — Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA wants all Airbus A350-941 and -1041 airplanes to replace certain flight control parts that might have been damaged during testing. This change keeps planes safe by banning the use of these risky parts. Airlines need to act before May 18, 2026, and while it might cost some money, it’s all about keeping flights smooth and secure.
2026-06531 — Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization; Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support; Affordable Connectivity Program; Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The FCC is updating rules to make sure low-income Americans get the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity programs they need without waste or fraud. These changes will protect funding, help service providers follow the rules, and make the programs easier to use. If you want to share your thoughts, comments are due by May 4, 2026, so don’t miss out!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03159 — General Policy for Pricing and Charging for Materials and Services Sold by the Department of Energy
The Department of Energy is updating how it sets prices for materials and services sold to people and organizations outside the government. This change clarifies rules, updates definitions, and adjusts special pricing to keep things fair and clear. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by April 20, 2026, because these updates could affect costs and how you buy from DOE.
Next: 2026-03220 — Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans; Amendment Reconsideration
The EPA is asking for your thoughts on updating rules for hazardous substance spill plans to make them clearer and easier to follow. These changes affect facilities that handle dangerous chemicals near water and aim to protect people and the environment without adding extra hassle. You’ve got until March 20, 2026, to share your ideas before any new rules are proposed.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in