Bill Overview
Title: Restroom Access Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires retailers to allow a customer to use a nonpublic restroom if the customer has an eligible medical condition (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease) that requires immediate access to a restroom and other conditions are met.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People with eligible medical conditions requiring immediate restroom access
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill specifically targets those with eligible medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
- Globally, around 10 million people are believed to be affected by inflammatory bowel disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease is more prevalent in industrialized nations, with the U.S. having around 3 million cases.
Reasoning
- The policy targets about 3.5 million people in the U.S. with eligible medical conditions.
- The budget constraints imply careful prioritization, ensuring the most urgent cases are addressed initially.
- The impact on wellbeing will vary based on how crucial restroom access is to the individual's daily life.
Simulated Interviews
Graphic Designer (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often worry about finding a restroom quickly. Access to nonpublic restrooms would greatly reduce my stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Boise, ID)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to know I can rely on access to any restroom if the need arises. It will ease my mind during work trips.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired (Austin, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could potentially give me more confidence to leave the house and be more social.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Marketing Specialist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having guaranteed access to restrooms is more of a convenience but not crucial for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think it will make much difference to me since my symptoms are manageable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Nurse (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will allow me to consider more travel options as I feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Carpenter (Portland, OR)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to restrooms would help me maintain my dignity and stay employed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this policy would impact me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Artist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would make my daily commute far less nerve-racking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Truck Driver (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing I can access restrooms off my delivery path is a game changer for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $1000000)
Year 2: $450000 (Low: $200000, High: $900000)
Year 3: $400000 (Low: $180000, High: $800000)
Year 5: $350000 (Low: $150000, High: $700000)
Year 10: $300000 (Low: $120000, High: $600000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- Retailers may incur some costs to ensure compliance with the new requirements, such as modifications to their restrooms or training staff.
- The bill could lead to better health outcomes for individuals with medical conditions that require immediate restroom access, potentially reducing healthcare expenditure.
- Public awareness campaigns may be necessary to ensure widespread knowledge of the bill's provisions and targets.