House Bill 478 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public restrooms; Restroom Access Act created, penalty for violation provided for

Summary

HB478 would create the Restroom Access Act, requiring retail establishments with employee restrooms to permit customers with eligible medical conditions to use those facilities under certain conditions, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

If a retail establishment lacks an easily accessible public restroom and has three or more employees on site, a customer with an eligible medical condition can request to use an employee restroom during normal hours. The customer must provide evidence of the condition (physician statement or Crohn's & Colitis Foundation ID card). The establishment is not required to make physical changes or owe a greater duty of care than a licensee, but refusing access could result in a misdemeanor and a fine up to $100. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Customers on retail premises who have eligible medical conditions and need immediate access to a toilet (must meet evidence and staffing conditions).
• Retail establishments with employee-only restrooms (must allow access under specified conditions and may face penalties for noncompliance).
• Employees of retail establishments (potentially affected by enforcement and penalties for refusals).

Key Provisions

• Requires retail establishments with an employee toilet facility to allow customer use during normal business hours if specific conditions are met (no public restroom immediately accessible, no obvious health/safety/security risk, customer has eligible medical condition and provides evidence, and at least three employees are on site).
• Eligible medical condition includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other condition that requires immediate toilet access; evidence can be physician statement or a Crohn's & Colitis Foundation ID card.
• The establishment does not owe the customer a greater duty of care than owed to a licensee on the premises and is not required to make physical changes to the employee restroom.
• Refusal to provide access is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100.
• Key definitions include Customer, Eligible Medical Condition, and Retail Establishment.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health