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New Law aids Crohn's sufferers.

Jill Sklar, Jonah Sklar, former Rep. Meisner, Gov. Granholm, Sen. Jacobs and

Joel Sklar on Feb. 12 at the ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 5046

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A34 February 19 •2009

ormer State Rep. Andy
introduce this legislation. Six states
Meisner, D-Oakland County,
have passed similar laws modeled on
and State Sen. Gilda Z. Jacobs, the Michigan bill. Similar legislation is
D- Huntington Woods, watched along
pending in 12 other states.
with the Sklar family of Huntington
"This legislation is a great example
Woods as Gov. Jennifer Granholm
of how we can improve the quality of
signed legislation to help patients with life for so many Michiganders with-
Crohn's disease and other medical
out costing the taxpayers anything,"
conditions by allowing them to use
said Jacobs. "I am very proud that
retailers' restroom facilities while pro- Michigan now has this law on the
tecting retailers from legal liability.
books."
House Bill 5046, now Public Act
The bill would grant access to
469, was sponsored by Meisner. Jacobs employee restrooms for people with
helped win its passage in the Senate.
eligible medical conditions and when
"There are Michigan citizens who
authorized by a document signed by
are suffering and who are deprived
a physician, such as a prescription
of the opportunity to engage in com-
form. Employee restrooms would be
merce and that poses a problem for
available to qualified people when a
our retail establishments, who are also restroom is not normally available to
suffering," said Meisner.
the public.
"The Restroom Access Act is a win-
In exchange for this access, busi-
win situation for everyone'
nesses would be provided greater pro-
Attending the ceremonial bill sign-
tection against torts than businesses
ing was Jill and Joel Sklar and their
with public bathrooms, in the event
son, Jonah. Jill brought this problem
that a customer is injured or killed
to the attention of Meisner, who was
as a result of granting access to the
term limited this past year, and Jacobs. employee restroom.
Jill continued advocating for the bill
The Restroom Access Act ensures
and educating legislators and others
that current employee-only restrooms
during the six years it took to win
do not need to be modified to accom-
approval for the legislation.
modate those public guests who may
Michigan was the first state to
require its use. ❑