Restroom Access Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3299
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-24T06:26:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Restroom Access Act of 2025 aims to ensure that individuals with certain medical conditions can access employee-only restroom facilities in retail stores when public options are unavailable, promoting health and dignity for those affected.
Key Provisions
- Access Requirement: Retail establishments (stores open to the public selling goods or services that involve interstate commerce) must allow customers with an eligible medical condition to use employee restrooms during business hours if:
- The customer shows a special identification card.
- At least two employees are on duty.
- The restroom is not in a hazardous area (e.g., one posing clear health or safety risks).
- No public restroom is available nearby.
- Identification Card System: Within 180 days of the law's enactment, the Secretary of Labor must create and distribute cards to individuals certified by a medical professional as having an eligible condition.
- Definitions:
- Eligible Medical Condition: Includes inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome), use of an ostomy device (a medical pouch for waste), or other conditions like pregnancy that require urgent restroom access.
- Customer: Anyone lawfully present in the store.
- Medical Professional: Includes doctors, naturopathic physicians, physician assistants, nurses, or nurse practitioners qualified to diagnose such conditions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal mandate, as there is no prior nationwide law requiring private retail businesses to provide restroom access to customers with medical needs. It builds on existing protections under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (which covers disabilities but not always urgent medical needs like these) by adding specific requirements for identification and conditions of access.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Improves quality of life for people with chronic digestive issues, ostomies, or pregnancy-related needs by reducing health risks from denied access, potentially encouraging more public participation.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor gains responsibility for administering the ID card system, which may involve new administrative costs and coordination with medical providers.
- On Retail Businesses: Stores must train staff and potentially modify facilities or policies, leading to minor operational adjustments but no major financial burdens specified.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic retail operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with Eligible Conditions: Primary beneficiaries, gaining legal protections for restroom access.
- Retail Establishments: Businesses required to comply, facing potential liability if they deny access without valid reasons.
- Medical Professionals: Involved in certifying conditions for ID cards.
- Department of Labor: Oversees implementation and distribution of identification cards.
- Customers and Employees: Indirectly affected through policy changes in stores.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause (regulating interstate commerce) to apply to retail businesses. It may lead to enforcement challenges, such as verifying medical conditions or handling denials, potentially resulting in lawsuits for non-compliance.
- Constitutional: Balances individual rights (e.g., health access akin to privacy or equal protection) against business property rights, without infringing on core freedoms but possibly raising minor due process concerns in access denials.
- Political: Advances public health and inclusivity agendas, particularly for underserved groups like those with invisible disabilities, but could spark debates on business burdens versus personal needs in a polarized environment.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-08: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E403)
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Restroom Access Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (3 pages)