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SB2529 • 2026

Highway Signs

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 12 and Title 54, relative to roadside facilities for motorists.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Hatcher, Raper
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Signed by Governor.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Highway Signs for Adult Changing Tables

This bill requires signs to be placed near rest areas and welcome centers that have adult-sized changing tables, and it also mandates publishing these locations on a website.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Transportation to put up signs or markers with symbols showing where there are adult-sized changing tables at rest areas and welcome centers.
  • Allows the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Tourist Development for making and putting up these signs.
  • Ensures that all signs follow specific guidelines like the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
  • Requires the Department of Transportation to list online where rest areas and welcome centers have adult-sized changing tables.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use rest areas and welcome centers with adult-sized changing tables.
  • The Tennessee Department of Transportation, which must install signs and publish information about these facilities.
  • Tourists and travelers looking for accessible rest stops on highways.

Terms To Know

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
A set of guidelines that help ensure traffic control devices are consistent across the country, making roads safer and easier to use.
Adult-sized changing table
A special platform in restrooms that can be adjusted for height to help adults change their clothes or diapers.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long it will take for the signs and website updates to be completed.
  • It is unclear if there are any penalties for not following this law.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB1912

Plain English: This amendment adds the option for signs to include text or symbols, and specifies that when updating signs, new options like text can be included.

  • Adds 'or language' after 'symbol' in Sections 1(b) and 1(c), allowing signs to use both symbols and words.
  • Inserts ', in the regular course of replacing and modifying existing signage,' after 'then' in Section 1(d).
  • The exact impact on sign design and implementation is not detailed.
Amendment 1-0 to SB2529

Plain English: This amendment to SB2529 adds the option for signs to include language, not just symbols, and specifies when new or modified signs can be installed.

  • Adds 'or language' after 'symbol' in Section 1(b) of the bill.
  • Adds 'or language' after 'symbols' in Section 1(c).
  • Adds ', language,' after 'Symbols,' in Section 1(d).
  • Adds ', in the regular course of replacing and modifying existing signage,' after 'then' in subsection (b).
  • The exact impact on current sign regulations is not fully explained.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Governor.

  2. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Transmitted to Governor for action.

  3. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by H. Speaker

  4. 2026-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Senate Speaker

  5. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Enrolled and ready for signatures

  6. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed H., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 0

  7. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0644)

  8. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Subst. for comp. HB.

  9. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  10. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 0

  11. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0646)

  12. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  13. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  14. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. SB subst.

  15. 2026-03-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026

  16. 2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026

  17. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026

  18. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

  19. 2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

  20. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

  21. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/11/2026

  22. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Transportation Committee for 3/10/2026

  23. 2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Transportation Committee

  24. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

  25. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/3/2026

  26. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

  27. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  28. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  29. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  30. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  31. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  32. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

If a rest area or welcome center has an adult-sized changing table, then this bill requires the department of transportation to install a sign or marker displaying a symbol indicating the accessibility of an adult-sized changing table to motorists, or in
clude that symbol on an existing rest area or welcome center sign or marker, on the portions of the interstate system and state system of highways and associated rights-of-way near the rest area or welcome center. Additionally, the department of transpor
ta
tion must publish on its website the locations of rest areas and welcome centers that have adult-sized changing tables.

This bill authorizes the department of transportation to consult the department of tourist development in manufacturing and installing the signs or markers or designating or placing symbols on signs or markers. Such symbols, signs, and markers so instal
led must be consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the state supplemental guidelines, as applicable.

ON MARCH 23, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2529, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 clarifies that the department of transportation must install a sign or marker displaying a symbol or language indicating the accessibility of an adult-sized changing table to motorists in the regular course of replacing and modifying existin
g signage.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1912
By Raper

SENATE BILL 2529
By Hatcher
SB2529
011405
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4,
Chapter 3; Title 12 and Title 54, relative to
roadside facilities for motorists.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 23, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section, "adult-sized changing table" means a powered,
height-adjustable platform in a single occupancy family restroom.
(b) If a rest area or welcome center has an adult-sized changing table, then the
department of transportation shall install a sign or marker displaying a symbol indicating
the accessibility of an adult-sized changing table to motorists, or include that symbol on
an existing rest area or welcome center sign or marker, on the portions of the interstate
system and state system of highways and associated rights-of-way near the rest area or
welcome center.
(c) The department may consult the department of tourist development in
manufacturing and installing the signs or markers or designating or placing symbols on
signs or markers pursuant to this section.
(d) Symbols, signs, and markers installed pursuant to this section must be
consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the state
supplemental guidelines, as applicable.
(e) The department shall publish on its website the locations of rest areas and
welcome centers that have adult-sized changing tables.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.