What's happening
This bill creates a state-issued identification card for people with certain bowel conditions to ensure access to restroom facilities.
Why it matters
Provides a standardized, official way for individuals with bowel conditions to prove their need for urgent restroom access. , which can reduce misunderstandings, stigma, and denial of access in public places.
Establishes clear eligibility and documentation criteria. for obtaining the card, helping to ensure that only those with legitimate medical needs receive it, thereby reducing abuse and maintaining respect for the system.
Links card presentation to existing legal rights under the Crohn’s and Colitis Fairness Act. , strengthening the enforceability of restroom access and providing guidance on where to direct complaints if access is denied.
Includes clear language on the card to inform staff and the public that these conditions are not contagious and require immediate accommodation. , which may help foster sensitivity and compliance in situations where urgency is not immediately apparent.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Crohn's ID Card Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A8146
- Ordered to third reading cal.889
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to health
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1583
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Medical Restroom ID Card
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6226
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. FELDER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to creating a Crohn's and colitis identification card
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new article 19 to read as follows:
ARTICLE 19
CROHN'S AND COLITIS IDENTIFICATION CARD Section 1900. Definition.
1901. Crohn's and colitis identification card.
§ 1900. Definition. As used in this article, "eligible medical condition" means Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a toilet facility.
§ 1901. Crohn's and colitis identification card. 1. The commissioner shall develop an identification card denoting that a person has been medically diagnosed with an eligible medical condition. Such identification card may be presented pursuant to article twenty-eight-F of the general business law, in order to gain access to restroom facilities as necessary.
2. Upon the request of a person with an eligible medical condition, the department shall issue such Crohn's and colitis identification card in accordance with eligibility and documentation criteria established by the department for a fee to be determined by the commissioner.
3. The front of such card shall indicate that it has been issued by the department pursuant to this section and shall include:
(a) the card bearer's name;
(b) the card bearer's address;
(c) the card bearer's date of birth;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11345-01-9
S. 6226 2
(d) the following statement: "MEDICAL ALERT: RESTROOM ACCESS REQUIRED"; and
(e) the following statement in smaller font: "The holder of this card suffers from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel disease. These autoimmune diseases are not contagious. These are painful conditions and need immediate access to a restroom."
4. The back of such card shall include:
(a) a reference to the Crohn's and colitis fairness act, article twenty-eight-F of the general business law; and
(b) the following statement: "Complaints regarding enforcement should be directed to the New York State Attorney General's Consumer Helpline".
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to creating a Crohn's and colitis identification card
Purpose
This bill requires the state health department to offer an identifica- tion card for people with gastrointestinal diseases defined in the Crohn's and colitis fairness act. This ID card would verify their condi- tion and their right to access an employee-only toilet facility.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: The public health law is amended by adding a new article 19, Crohn's and Colitis Identification Card, authorizing the Commissioner of Health to create an identification card for people with gastrointestinal conditions defined in the Crohn's and colitis fairness act.
Section 2: This section sets the effective date and provides that any rules or regulations necessary to implement this legislation may be completed prior to the effective date.
Justification
Chapter 42 of the laws of 2018 enacted the Crohn's and colitis fairness act. This landmark bill created a compassionate system for those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
The Crohn's and colitis fairness act provides those suffering from certain gastrointestinal diseases, access to an employee-only toilet facility in a place of business that is already open to the public, when there are at least two employees working at the time of the request, and using that facility would not create a health, safety, or security risk.
While this bill provides a great service to those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases by permitting them to use employee-only toilet facilities, businesses have no way of identifying who may have a permit- ted gastrointestinal disease and who does not.
This legislation would require the state health department to offer an identification card for people with gastrointestinal diseases outlined in the Crohn's and colitis fairness act. This optional identification card would allow an individual to easily communicate their condition to an employee of a business and outline that employee's responsibility under the Crohn's and colitis fairness act.
This card would allow those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases to simply show an identification card which verifies they have a condition outlined in the Crohn's and colitis fairness act. This would prevent a situation where someone with a gastrointestinal condition would be forced to argue with a store employee regarding their rights under the Crohn's and colitis fairness act or if an individual even has a qualify- ing condition.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.