Albany, NY – Yesterday, the New York State Assembly passed S. 7327, the Senate version of A. 8989, sponsored by Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-88). With the bill successfully passed in both chambers, it goes to Governor Cuomo for his signature.

“This bill builds on last year’s landmark Crohn’s and Colitis Fairness Act,” said Assemblymember Paulin. “This year’s bill will make it more likely for business owners to comply, and provide more options for those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s to lodge a complaint if they’ve been unfairly denied urgent access to a restroom.”

The Crohn’s and Colitis Fairness Act made it possible for those who suffer from an eligible gastrointestinal medical condition that could require immediate access to a bathroom to have access to an employee-only restroom in a place of business when there are at least two employees working at the time, and using that facility would not create a health, safety, or security risk.

By moving last year’s law from Public Health to General Business law, those who have been denied the accommodations of this law will be able to file a complaint by contacting the consumer protection bureau of their local government, or through the New York State Department of State or the New York Attorney General’s Office. This in turn will make it easier for those so denied to file a complaint, and more likely that business owners will comply.

Ally Bain, a teenage girl in Illinois who suffers from Crohn’s disease, was the inspiration for this law in Illinois and 14 other states. Bain had a humiliating experience in which she was denied access to an employee-only bathroom when she was in need of one and no public bathroom was available.

“Stories like Ally’s are heartbreaking,” Paulin said. “No one should be forced to endure such a humiliating situation simply because they have a medical condition over which they have no control.”