Restroom Access Bill for Crohn's Patients Signed into Law in Delaware Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 3:40 PM EDT Posted:

Photo: Associated Press

DOVER, Del. - Delaware Governor Jack Markell has signed legislation that will assist Delaware residents who are living with Crohn's disease and other serious bowel conditions.



The bill signed into law on Tuesday will ensure that people with diagnosed medical needs are allowed to use restrooms in stores or restaurants that are normally marked for "employees only" when necessary.



According to the bill, the restroom access provisions apply to people with "Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a restroom facility." The bill would also cover people using ostomy devices, which is a device inserted in a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the body for the discharge of body waste, according to the United Ostomy Associations of America.



"This bill is about compassion and understanding for people living with serious medical conditions," said Rep. Trey Paradee, D-Dover West. "It's part of the effort to educate the community about Crohn's and other similar diseases, and ensure that Delawareans and those who visit our state are treated with respect and dignity."



The measure allows businesses to ask a customer requesting restroom access to show documentation of his or her medical condition, either in the form a doctor's note or an identification card issued by a nationally-recognized health organization or state agency. According to the bill, businesses would not be required to make any changes or upgrades to restrooms that are not normally accessible to the public.



Rep. Paradee says 15-year-old Morgan Burnett, of Smyrna, has Crohn's disease and brought the restroom access issue to his attention prior to the start of this year's legislative session. He then brought the legislation to the House.



Living with the disease can be a constant struggle to avoid potentially embarrassing situations that could arise from its symptoms, Burnett said. Even a simple family day trip has to be carefully planned around access to public restrooms.



"This law means there's hope for people like us," Burnett said. "And it's great to know that there are people out there who see what we are going through and want to help us."



The new law also includes language that considers situations when restroom access would cause a safety issue for a business, as well as a warning for a business that breaks the restroom access rules, prior to receiving a $100 fine for subsequent violations.



Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's, affect thousands of people of all ages. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, symptoms of the conditions include persistent diarrhea, cramps and abdominal pain, and the urgent need to move the bowels. Often, these symptoms are sudden and unexpected, following long periods when the person has experienced no symptoms at all.



At least thirteen states have similar statutes granting access to non-public restrooms for medical reasons, including Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington. Many of those laws also offer protections to businesses and allow them to ask for documented proof of an eligible condition.





