News Release
For Immediate Release
April 28, 2009
Contact:
Aaron Zappia
(215) 657-7700

Greenleaf's Restroom Access Bill Moves Forward 

Today, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee approved Senator Greenleaf's legislation mandating restroom access for those with certain medical conditions.   

Senate Bill 354 would require a retail establishment that has toilet facilities for its employees to allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the customer suffers from an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a toilet facility. 

As many as one million Americans suffer from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease.  A common symptom of these conditions is the quick onset of severe diarrhea.  There is no known cause of inflammatory bowel disease or a medical cure.  

Minnesota, Texas, and Illinois have enacted laws similar to this proposal.   

"We need to act to allow these people to go about their lives without suffering embarrassment or feeling the need to shut themselves indoors," said Greenleaf.