Senate adopts bill requiring adult-size changing stations in many new or renovated public restrooms, adds grant option and exemptions

The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 83, a measure requiring powered, height-adjustable adult-size changing tables in newly constructed or totally renovated public restrooms that are accessible to both men and women. Sponsor Senator Orr described the bill as a state-level example to encourage dignity and access for families and adults with disabilities.

Key provisions adopted in the Senate include: - A requirement (beginning with construction permits issued for qualifying projects) that new or completely renovated restrooms accessible to the public include at least one adult-size powered changing table and signage indicating its location. - A dollar threshold for qualifying renovations: the rule applies to total restroom renovations where permit cost meets or exceeds $500,000 (language as presented on the floor). - Exemptions the responsible authority may grant if installation is infeasible, would conflict with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, would threaten the historic significance of the property, or where the facility is not frequented by the public. - A grant program (subject to legislative appropriation) to help public entities retrofit preexisting restrooms; priority was to be given to high-traffic public areas. - A floor amendment exempted routine K–12 classrooms and most higher-education instructional spaces but kept populous public facilities (auditoriums, gymnasiums, stadiums) in the bill’s scope.

Floor debate included technical and policy discussion: senators with experience in disability access and municipal administration described the life improvements such facilities confer. Senators said the cost to add a single powered table and family restroom can vary — from a few thousand dollars for equipment to tens of thousands for construction when a family restroom or structural changes are required — and sponsors said a CPI-based escalator for any threshold figure would be applied starting 2030.

The Senate adopted committee amendments and a floor amendment carving out K–12 and higher-education instructional spaces from the requirement while keeping public-facing athletic and performance spaces covered. The transcript records a recorded roll call and final passage (vote recorded in the transcript: 27 ayes, 0 nays).

What’s next: With Senate passage the bill goes to the House for consideration. The measure includes a request for the department of examiners to compute periodic CPI adjustments to any dollar thresholds in the statute; the grant program will require appropriation by the Legislature to operate.

Context: Sponsors framed the measure as a state-led example rather than a business mandate and said it will make public spaces more accessible and dignified for family caregivers and adults with disabilities.