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

HB 478, the Restroom Access Act, requires Alabama retail stores with employee restrooms to allow customers with specific medical conditions (like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or ostomy devices) to use those facilities under strict conditions. To access an employee restroom, customers must provide medical evidence (such as a doctor's note or Crohn's & Colitis Foundation ID) and the store must confirm it lacks a public restroom, has no health/safety risks, and has three or more employees present. Retailers aren't required to modify facilities or provide greater care than they would to regular customers. Violating the law is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.