Restroom Access Act Killed by Subcommittee
Bill offered by Del. Krupicka would have required businesses to let people with certain bowel disorders use their employee restrooms in an emergency.
By Allison Landry
Capital News Service
RICHMOND — A legislative panel has killed a bill designed to give Virginians suffering from Crohn’s disease or similar medical conditions immediate access to a toilet.
A subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee shelved House Bill 1375, which would have required businesses to let people with certain bowel disorders use their employee restrooms in an emergency.
The so-called Restroom Access Act, sponsored by Del. Rob Krupicka, D-Alexandria, would have applied to business that do not have public toilet facilities. The bill exempted banks, filling stations and other retail establishments “where providing access would create an obvious security risk.”
Opponents feared the legislation might hurt businesses by opening them to lawsuits.
They also raised concerns about security and intellectual property.
As originally written, the bill provided for a $100 penalty against retailers who refused to provide restroom access to eligible customers. Krupicka tried to address the concerns by reducing the fine to $25.
However, at a Monday afternoon meeting of the subcommittee, none of the members moved to approve the bill. It was unclear whether the proposal might come up again.
Several states, including Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky, have enacted similar restroom access laws for people with medical problems, Krupicka said.
To track or comment on the Restroom Access Act, visit the Richmond Sunlight website: http://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2013/hb1375/
Scot
8:12 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
"Certain bowel disorders" - so we were proposing to regulate "pooping" in this state? When I have to go, do I need a doctor's note? Will that be compared with the government legislated pooping disorders list? By the store clerk? "Sorry sir, but explosive diarrhea is not on the list." What happened to just asking politely?
McBrinn
11:14 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Seems pretty risky to deny access to someone in obvious distress.
"Where would you like this to occur? At the register or in the bathroom in the back?"
Gail G
12:54 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
What is truly gross is that some establishments store things in their employee restrooms - including food.
Joseph M.
2:04 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I think ADA is one of the best laws ever passed, but this seems an odd thing to legislate.
Scot, yes, if passed, you would need a doctor's note:
59.1-551. Retail establishment; customer access to restroom facilities.
A retail establishment that has a toilet facility for its employees shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the toilet facility is reasonably safe and all of the following conditions are met:
1. The customer requesting the use of the employee toilet facility suffers from an eligible medical condition or utilizes an ostomy device;
2. The customer requesting the use of the employee toilet facility, at the time he requests to use the employee toilet facility, provides evidence of the customer's eligible medical condition or use of an ostomy device, which may be satisfied by written certification of a physician or other licensed medical professional or such other evidence that is reasonable under the circumstances;
3. Three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee toilet facility;"
...
moo2407
7:07 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
just poop on their floor. when mother nature calls do what you need to do!
Jonathan Krall
11:18 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Delegate Krupicka, please keep introducing this bill every year. Eventually they will pass it just to get you to STFU (so to speak). Despite this vote, I think most Virginians recognize that we are a community that aspires to greater kindness and compassion.