Bill > HB478

This bill, known as the "Restroom Access Act," requires retail establishments that are open to the public and have an employee restroom to allow customers with an eligible medical condition to use that employee restroom under specific circumstances. An "eligible medical condition" is defined as a permanent or temporary condition requiring immediate access to a toilet, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome, and customers must provide proof of their condition, such as a doctor's note or an identification card from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. The retail establishment must not have a public restroom readily available, the employee restroom must not pose a health, safety, or security risk, and at least three employees must be present and working at the time of the request. The act clarifies that businesses are not required to make physical changes to their employee restrooms and that the duty of care owed to customers using these facilities is not increased. Violating this act by refusing a customer access when required is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100, and the act will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Business and Industry

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