Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Restroom Access Trucking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill requiring restroom access for commercial drivers
Summary
The committee unanimously recommended passage of a bill that would require certain commercial facilities with employee or public restrooms to let waiting commercial motor vehicle drivers use them where there are no public-safety concerns, citing driver recruitment and basic decency.
The House Transportation Committee advanced Senate Bill 500 after testimony that lack of restroom access is a significant recruitment and retention issue for commercial drivers, especially women. In executive session the committee recommended 'ought to pass' by unanimous consent.
Grant Bossi, who introduced the bill for Senator Regina Birdsell, said testimony from a conference of female truck drivers identified restroom access as a top concern for joining or staying in trucking. "We have a shortage of drivers. We need female truck drivers to be part of that workforce," Bossi said.
Bob Scully of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association told the committee that a research survey showed lack of bathroom facilities is one of the largest obstacles for women considering driving careers. He summarized the bill for committee members: if a facility is over about 800 square feet, has an employee or public restroom and there are no public-safety concerns, it would have to permit a truck driver to use the restroom during loading or unloading; the bill does not require modifications to buildings.
Committee members voiced support across the floor. Several members called the measure common sense and said it sends a helpful signal to the industry. The committee adopted the 'ought to pass' recommendation unanimously in executive session.
The committee’s recorded action advances the bill from committee to the next stage of the legislative process.
