Subcommittee advances bill to map existing family restrooms at rest stops and welcome centers

The House Transportation Subcommittee unanimously advanced House Bill 60 on Tuesday after the sponsor said the measure would help families and people with disabilities find existing family restrooms at state rest stops and welcome centers.

Representative Raper, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure would not add new restrooms but would create a way for travelers to locate family restrooms that already exist. He said Tennessee currently has 19 rest stops and 16 welcome centers; of those facilities, five rest stops and nine welcome centers have family restrooms (14 total). Raper described the restrooms as “convenience and a safety feature.” The bill carries a one-time fiscal note of $30,700, which the sponsor said would support implementation of the wayfinding.

Committee members voiced support. Representative Bain offered praise for Raper’s constituent-driven proposal; Representative Doggett was cited as working on related accessibility efforts, including large changing tables. After the committee adopted an amendment (drafting code 3412) that the sponsor said helped implement the bill, the subcommittee voted; the clerk recorded nine ayes and the bill was sent to full committee.

Sponsor remarks framed the bill as improving access and safety for families with young children and people with special needs who currently must enter facilities to check whether a family restroom is available. The measure was described as a first step and the sponsor signaled future legislation to expand facilities, though adding new restrooms was not part of this bill.