Trucker Restroom Access Bill Gains Momentum Nationwide
A bipartisan Senate bill would require businesses to provide truck drivers with access to restroom facilities while they pick up or deliver freight. The Trucker Bathroom Access Act has also been included in the House version of the highway bill, known as the BUILD America 250 Act, giving the measure a potential path to remain part of future transportation legislation.
Bipartisan Senate legislation
U.S. Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., and Deb Fischer, R-Neb., members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, introduced the Trucker Bathroom Access Act.
The legislation is intended to prevent shippers, receivers and other establishments from denying restroom access to drivers conducting pickup or delivery operations. Supporters say truck drivers are frequently required to wait at facilities without being allowed to use available restrooms.
“Too often, truckers are told to ‘hold it,’” the lawmakers said in announcing the legislation. The measure would address restroom access as truck drivers perform the work necessary to move freight across the country.
Support from trucking groups
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association endorsed the bill. OOIDA President Todd Spencer said more than 70% of U.S. freight is carried exclusively by trucks and that drivers routinely face restroom restrictions while making deliveries and pickups.
“OOIDA and truckers across America thank Senator Blunt Rochester and Senator Fischer for showing tremendous leadership on this issue,” Spencer said. He added that the organization would continue working with lawmakers and coalition partners to advance the legislation.
The American Trucking Associations also backed the bill, describing restroom access as a matter of dignity for drivers and an important factor in recruiting and retaining truck drivers, particularly women.
Included in House highway legislation
The restroom-access provision has already been included in the House version of the highway bill, the BUILD America 250 Act. Although congressional control is expected to change, the provision has bipartisan support and could remain in future versions of a highway reauthorization measure.
Supporters say placing the provision in broader highway legislation could improve its chances of becoming law. The measure’s progress will depend on how lawmakers reconcile the House and Senate transportation bills and which provisions remain in the final package.
