The governor just signed a bill into law that expands access to an “employees only” bathroom in a retail store for individuals suffering from Crohn’s disease or other medical conditions that require immediate access to a restroom.
“When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go,” said Del. Norman Conway, D-Wicomico, sponsor of HB 1183.
The new law tells the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide individuals with identification cards which, signed by a person’s primary physician, identify the person’s medical condition and grant them unlimited access to otherwise-restricted restrooms.
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42 comments:
More government meddling where it doesn't need to be. I operate a retail store in Wicomico County, it's in a building that is 30 years old. Our bathroom is 120 feet back through a couple hallways, past lots of obstacles and things that customers will try to pull down on themselves for a lawsuit. There is a lot of sensitive customer information along the way. We are very small, with 2 or 3 employees, one of which would have to babysit said customer the whole time, leaving at most 1 employee to watch the entire store.
What happens if only a male is available to escort a female to the back of the building? What kind of accusations could then be made?
We are not a mall, we are a stand alone location. Customers come here for a reason, they are here less than 5 minutes, they leave. I'm not serving food.
There's no way to get plumbing anywhere near the front of the store, like I said the building is 30 years old.
Just plain stupid if you ask me!
What if that 1 bathroom a store has is in use? Are we supposed to chase out the person in there? Or are we supposed to build additional restrooms? How many? Who's paying for the construction?
If you're that bad off that you can't be 3 minutes in a store without having to use a bathroom, wear a diaper or stay home!
(WHIPS OUT CARD)
I'm commandeering this bathroom.
LMAO... what will they come up with next? How about we work on real problems!!
If you're that bad off that you can't be 3 minutes in a store without having to use a bathroom, wear a diaper or stay home!
April 11, 2013 at 8:01 PM
You're an asshole.
There's no way to get plumbing anywhere near the front of the store, like I said the building is 30 years old.
Just plain stupid if you ask me!
April 11, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Hogwash. The age of a building has nothing to do with running new water pipes. It can be done, and you know it. You don't want to dish out the money to do it is all. Can't say I blame you for that, but just one more law for the fascist state called, ironically, The Free State.
Hey dip craps...read the article. Is for retailers with 20 or more employees. Have some sympathy for people with this serious disease.
9:12PM, in case you didn't know drains flow downhill, so unless it's ok for me to put the bathroom 8ft off the floor, that's 120ft of concrete slab that has to be to be jackhammered up and replaced and carpeting put back - who's paying for this?
9:15 - you're the one that can't read - the article says anyone with THREE EMPLOYEES or more.
Bet you JT can get one of these cards, after all, we all know he's "disabled" and full of SH*T!
Norman Conway, that says it all.
9:12PM, in case you didn't know drains flow downhill, so unless it's ok for me to put the bathroom 8ft off the floor, that's 120ft of concrete slab that has to be to be jackhammered up and replaced and carpeting put back - who's paying for this?
I don't know your particular set-up. And yes, I think most know that drains flow downhill, unless you have a , um what's it called? Oh yeah, a PUMP. But thanks for your attempt at sarcasm. It didn't go unnoticed, it just failed to live up to the expected result.
Anyway, the point was to show you it was not IMPOSSIBLE as you first claimed. You even suggested a solution yourself by jackhammering the concrete. I am no plumber but I would imagine there are a number of solutions to your imagined impossible scenario. Even something as simple as a port-a-potty in the parking lot. Crude but effective. And since you already have a bathroom, you could just make yours more accessible to non-employees. And save a ton of money in the process I'm sure.
Sometimes it can be costly. If someone dumps a huge load and jams up the plumbing it's an easy 3 or 4 hundred dollar issue. Who's gonna pay for that?
10:34 it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to just keep a few boxes of different sized diapers on hand and just grant the customer access to a changing room.
Anonymous said...
Sometimes it can be costly. If someone dumps a huge load and jams up the plumbing it's an easy 3 or 4 hundred dollar issue. Who's gonna pay for that?
April 11, 2013 at 10:47 PM
If that were to happen from human waste, your plumbing needs to be condemned.
Anonymous said...
10:34 it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to just keep a few boxes of different sized diapers on hand and just grant the customer access to a changing room.
April 12, 2013 at 12:02 AM
That is fine, as long as you and your employees did the same.
Some of you want people to come in and give you their money but you won't allow them to relieve themselves in your bathroom? Especially the ones with Crohn's disease? I have no sympathy for any of you so called businesses.
It's not that big a deal. Most places have a sign that says "no public restroom". If you think you are going to crap yourself just don't do business with them. Simple, problem solved.
Why should we have to?
Anonymous said...
It's not that big a deal. Most places have a sign that says "no public restroom". If you think you are going to crap yourself just don't do business with them. Simple, problem solved.
April 12, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Ok. Everyone just stop doing business with places that won't allow their customers to use their bathroom. Problem solved. Enjoy your reduced income.
I (Angela Knarr), my husband (Stewart Davis), and my son, Austin Knarr worked with Delegate Conway and Senator Mathias to get this bill passed in MD. My first husband had Crohn's disease and passed away due to complications at the young age of 33. We were told that we had an 80% chance of NOT having a child with Crohn's and only a 20% chance we would. So we had two beautiful boys in our short marriage. A year and a half ago my oldest (Austin) was diagnosed with having moderate to severe Crohn's in his small bowel (7-8 inches) and a small area in his stomach. He was 12 at the time. For nearly 9 months we traveled back and forth across the bridge for treatments that did not work!! There is NO pediatric GI here on the Shore. Finally, he has been put on the LAST FDA approved drug, Humira, which has put him into remission. Austin is now 14 years old. I am sickened to hear all these comments on here about being disabled, wear diapers, don't leave the house. How sick are you people?? Walk in the shoes of someone that has Crohn's then maybe you would understand. My son has been turned away from stores and has had to run in pain to try to find a bathroom. Sometimes, he has not made it in time. Maybe all those that commented should leave your name so I can talk directly to you! Come see my 14 year old in the morning when he is so cramped up and can't ride the bus. Better yet, give him the Humira injection every 2 weeks and see how much pain he is in. Fire back...I can take it! I burried my first husband due to this disease and I refuse to allow this to happen to my son. I worked hand in hand with this bill and most of you obviously didn't read it. NO changes to your buildings need to be made AT ALL. Read the bill and educate yourselves on Crohn's or just shut up!! If I can make life a little bit easier for my son...I will and I did!
Seriously?
Angela you are to be commended for seeing this through. Too many people are too short sighted to understand how debilitating this disease is and these comments prove how selfish a society we have become. This bill will hurt no one and only help people that need it.
So you had a law made to benefit one 14 year old boy? Meanwhile affects a lot of business owners who are struggling to make it in today's economy? Pretty selfish in my opinion.
Your 14 year old son has no business in an adult bookstore, a cigarette outlet, a auto paint store, a dry cleaners, etc. Yet YOUR LAW will cause each of them to allow customers in their back rooms.
It's our stores, we make the policies, you don't like the policies, don't shop there! We're tired of government interference.
Your 14 year old son ought to spend most of his time at school or home. If he wants to shop, can go to the mall, to Walmart, Target, Food Lion - - all of which already have public bathrooms.
All you have done is screwed over the small business person!
People can be so nasty! I don't blame any retailer for closing access to their restrooms. I have found that most will allow access in an emergency. Admittedly, I wouldn't wish to clean them following public access.
5:57:
Your husband did not die for lack of access to a small business restroom. Chances are good, it was the Chrons that did.
this legislation will do nothing to further progress in that regard. Most places respond favorably to "emergency" requests. (I for one have never been denied.)
govmint really does have their nose in my sh#~
Wow, would all of you selfish business owners who don't want to allow a person with a debilitating disease to use your bathroom please post the name of your business? That way I will know where not to shop!
If you own a business and don't want us to support your business, then please post your name and business and don't hide behind anonymous. Some people on here don't have the guts or can't handle their spoken words. I don't visit this blog because of the same crap that is happening. People with NO BACKBONES have an easy out by using it as a cowerdly way to say something you won't back. I am a small business owner and have compassion. I will let someone that goes though the hoops to get a card and anyone else that has an emergency use my restroom. You are lacking compassion, guts, and business sense.
This is Angela Knarr AGAIN!!! First, whoever said that I did this only for my own son is WRONG! 1.4 million people suffer with this illness...Crohn's and Colitis. Also, my son should NOT be limited into where he can shop if he has an illness,and goes thru the hoops to get the ID card. You people obviously don't know about this disease at all. Also, whoever said my husband did not die due to not using a bathroom...NO KIDDING! He died due to complications to Crohn's...reread my post. However, I spent 11 years with him watching him suffer when in need of a bathroom and turned away...trips, car rides, etc. So...please educate yourselves. Again.... don't limit my child due to a LAW that you must follow now. Also... PLEASE give your name and business so our viewing area know who you are. You hide now because you don't want to lose business!! Very cowardly!! Again, I'm Angela Knarr and my family and many others are proud of our efforts for allowing piece of mind for those that suffer. Way to go HB1183!!!
1:06. If it's that big a deal just ask before you begin shopping.
Tell me what you own Stew. I'll make it a point not to do business with you.
So are you telling me that if no one you ever knew had this issue you would have pushed for this outrageous law? No? I didn't think so!!!!
If you don't like the blog Stewart then don't bother putting your two cents into a comment. Goodbye!
You got your crappy law now quit rubbing it in!!!!!!!
My name is Stewart Davis! If you know me at all you would know I support all community events, fundraisers, health issues, school functions, local businesses and so on. I use my name because people that know me know what I do, what I own and how I support this county. I hope and pray that someone you know doesn't have a disease or by God a child that has a disease. Who know what you will do with the child. Someone as stupid as yourself shows other people what we all have to live with and what kind of nonsense some people are made of. You still have NO GUTS TO PUT YOUR NAME DOWN. I only need your name, I will find out the business. If you read any of the bill you would know it is only for people with intestinal disease, that go through the trouble getting a card from the Health Department, go to their doctor and get it signed off on. Its about compassion and not your crappy feeling about someone. As for you, I will pray for you at church, because thats how I was brought up and will continue to support people in need and with any disease... If you don't want to support my business thats ok. I have great community support and have been in business for 22 years+ with or without you...
Good for you Stewart. Now please go pray for yourself as well. Some of the language and tone I sense isn't of one I would want to sit next to in church. Almost hippocriticle one must say. May God Bless You Stewart.
I see now. The Stewart Davis Narcissistic Society. Feel good huh Stewart. To give that is.
Name???
Question asked to me...if I didn't know anyone affected would I have pushed this law. Well, I must say I support many causes and have for years. However, with my husband having this disease and watching him die and then see my son take medications that flat out say he could die from the drugs.....what mother/father wouldn't work their tails off to help them. Last year we raised over $11,000.00 to donate to CCFA (Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America). This was all in hopes for a CURE! This disease can kill, has killed, and has no cure yet! My son and I went on tv advocating for our CCFA Take Steps Walk here in Salisbury, and even had an article written in the newspaper. All of this to educate people on what Crohn's disease is. What parent wouldn't do ANYTHING for their child to make this terrible disease easier for them....knowing that they can't really help them medically, and knowing in the back of their head that they could die? Are these people the ones leaving all these nasty comments? I hope you don't have children ( as children deserve better than you) and I hope you would just say your name and quit hiding. Angela Knarr
I'm ok with the law but think it's a little selfish. I think if it's good for one person it should be good for all with or without a card. What about people with newly potty trained kids or someone who just plain old ate something bad and now has to go. Or maybe they have an incontinence issue. They really should have thought of everyone when they were sneaking this one through.
So the answer would be "no". I like when people help with no expectations of anything in return.
This is my last response to these ignorant business people. First, everyone stands up for what THEY BELIEVE IN...if you don't, shame on you! If you think this "bill snuck thru"...ignorant again. Actually, it was this site when Joe posted a link called Ally's Law many months ago that I was inspired to fight for this to be passed in MD...for my son, friends that have either Crohn's or Colitis, and in memory of my first husband. So....thank you Joe! This bill didn't "sneak thru" as it was received unanimously in House, House Floor, Senate, and Senate Floor. If you don't know what the big word unanimously means (as I know it's a big word for you guys)...that means ALL YEA'S and 0 NEY'S...in ALL 4 areas. Also...you're going to really like this...READY??? Head of Retailors Association was in FULL agreement! Yes...your boss!! God...I LOVE THIS!I am done with this post! Can't wait till Oct.1st when it goes into effect! Have a wonderful day!!!!! Angela Knarr
Still selfish. What about others who may need a restroom. Yay for Angie! Me me me me .
I read through all these comments and I don't see where Angela Knarr is being selfish. She apparently stood up for something she believed in. She lost her husband and now her son has this disease. Where is she selfish? Maybe those that think it should be allowed for others that need a bathroom should find the avenues it takes to make it happen. Apparently Angela did. I say, Bravo to Angela.
Was a law really needed for this? Kind of like the Smith Island cake law I imagine.
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