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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Richard Grucela |
  
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Committee advances Grucela bill to aid people with Crohn’s disease
HARRISBURG, May 13 – The House Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously reported out a bill Tuesday that would require retail establishments to make employee restrooms available to customers who suffer from certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel conditions, if no public facility is available.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, said he introduced the legislation (H.B. 1955) after a constituent who suffers from Crohn’s disease described the pain and discomfort suffered when no restroom is available to alleviate the disease’s symptoms.
"I learned that this is a life-changing condition, which can be very challenging and at times embarrassing," Grucela said. "It can control your life. We have a long way to go towards raising public awareness and understanding about Crohn’s and similar diseases, but this is one way we can be compassionate to the needs of those who suffer from this serious medical condition."
Grucela said his bill would help people to be active without worrying about a flare up and no access to a restroom.
Crohn’s disease affects more than 600,000 Americans. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes ulcerations in the small and large intestines. Common symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.
It flares up at irregular intervals throughout a person's life. Flare ups can be mild or severe, brief or prolonged. Severe flare ups can lead to intense pain, dehydration and blood loss.
The legislation also would include ulcerative colitis, any other inflammatory bowel disease or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a toilet facility or the use of an ostomy device. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, in total, over 1.4 million Americans suffer from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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