Constituent-inspired bill on its way to Governor’s desk

Edmonds woman’s email launched ‘restroom access bill’

April 28, 2009

OLYMPIA – It was a process that began nearly a year ago, one that will culminate shortly with a signature by Governor Gregoire.

People with certain medical conditions, like Crohn’s Disease, will now be able to use employee-only restrooms in most retail establishments. Crohn’s Disease can cause a sudden, painful need to use the restroom.

Rep. Marko Liias (D – Mukilteo) sponsored House Bill 1138 after receiving an email from a constituent, Lois Fink of Edmonds. She related the pain and embarrassment faced by those with Crohn’s and other medical conditions when they need to use a restroom – quickly – but are denied access to a non-public restroom in a retail store. Liias realized it was an issue of basic human dignity, and discovered that several states already had “restroom access laws” on the books.

“I’m grateful to Lois for bringing the issue to my attention, because it’s the kind of thing that we should have been doing in Washington for a long time,” Liias said. “When the governor signs this bill, thousands of Washingtonians will no longer have to worry that they’ll suffer an embarrassing incident due to their medical condition.”

When the bill had its initial public hearing, Fink came to Olympia to testify in support of it. So did Mike McCready, a member of the rock group Pearl Jam and a Crohn’s sufferer for over 20 years.

“Where I have run into problems is that when I need to go, I need to go,” McCready told the House Judiciary Committee in January. “And it has happened many times that I have not been able to find a public restroom quickly enough.”

The bill passed the House in early March, then passed the Senate a couple of weeks ago but with some amendments. The House refused to concur with the Senate’s amendments and returned the measure to the Senate. Supporters feared the bill might die, but three days before the Legislature adjourned, the Senate withdrew its amendments and the bill was sent to the Governor’s desk.

“I am thrilled this compassionate bill went through our legislative process and finally passed,” Fink said. “It gives those of us with medical conditions that can keep us house bound the freedom to enjoy shopping in Washington's retail stores. “

The bill is Liias’ sixth to pass the Legislature this year. The 2009 Legislative Session concluded on April 26.