Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3299

New Bill Requires Retailers to Open Employee Restrooms to Customers with Medical Conditions

Restroom Access Act of 2025

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill requires retail stores to let customers use their private employee restrooms if the person has a medical condition that requires immediate bathroom access.
Eligible conditions include inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's or colitis, the use of an ostomy device, and pregnancy.
To get access, a customer must show a special ID card. The Department of Labor would create a system to provide these cards to people who have a note from their doctor.
Stores are only required to help if they have at least two employees on duty and if the restroom is in a safe area that does not put the customer at risk.
The goal is to help people with chronic illnesses or urgent needs go about their day without worrying about being turned away during a medical emergency.

HealthcareLabor EmploymentCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Broader Impacts

DomainScoreShort-termLong-termReversibilityConfidence

Score

Scores: -5 (harmful) to +5 (beneficial)Short-term: 0-2 yearsLong-term: 10-30 years

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

May 8, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

May 8, 2025

Introduced in House

May 8, 2025

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E403)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days of enactment (if passed)

Department of Labor must have the medical ID card system up and running

People with qualifying conditions could start applying for the special ID card that lets them request access to employee restrooms at retail stores.

Related News

1 article

PBS News (WTTW)·about 1 year ago

Starbucks' Policy Change Flushes Out a Debate Over Public Restroom Access

Reporting on the 'mish-mash' of state and local laws, this coverage cites the Restroom Access Act as a critical protection for people with Crohn's disease and other conditions, while noting that enforcement remains a challenge in many jurisdictions.

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