New Bill Gives Truckers Access to Restrooms
What’s New?
The Trucker Bathroom Accessibility Act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D. Pa.).
If passed, the bill would require businesses with a restroom for either employees or customers to be open to delivery or pick-up drivers. The bill does not require businesses without a restroom to construct one, rather it allows for trucker access to existing facilities.
The bill was praised by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
“The men and women of America’s trucking industry keep our supply chain moving, and it’s only reasonable that their most basic of needs be accommodated while they are on the job,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA president and CEO.
“We’ve heard from countless drivers who have been forced to ‘hold it’ because they were not allowed to access the bathroom when they were picking up or delivering freight. We thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue, and we look forward to continue working with [them] and our coalition partners to get this legislation signed into law.”
Rep. Nehls gave credit to OOIDA and the Women In Trucking Association for joining forces on this legislation. Rep. Houlahan stressed the significance of measures like this as it encourages more women to join the trucking industry.
“Time and again, we’ve seen that when we include more women in our workforce, our economy prospers—that’s true for the trucking industry, too,” Houlahan said. “But restricted access to bathrooms is putting that progress in jeopardy. In response, our new bipartisan legislation will give all truckers, and female drivers in particular, the confidence of having access to a restroom when they deliver goods to businesses and American families.”
“As more women enter the trucking industry, the need for restroom access increases, while access to facilities has decreased,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. “We applaud Representative Nehls’ support to require shippers and receivers to offer our drivers this very basic need.”
Conclusion
Should the legislation be passed, it would require retailers, warehouses, and other businesses to give truckers access to bathroom facilities when they are picking up cargo or making deliveries. Additionally, if a business has a restroom available to their customers or employees, truckers should have the same access. Lastly, it would require the operators of ports and terminals to provide bathroom access to drayage drivers.
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