New Hampshire lawmakers are pushing to make sure truck drivers can use a restroom on the job.
The bipartisan bill follows a Washington state law passed in 2023. That law requires shippers, receivers and terminal operators to let truck drivers use restrooms.
A federal bill is also in play to fix the same problem nationwide.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is backing common-sense rules so truck drivers aren’t left searching for a restroom while on the job.
State bill takes first step
The New Hampshire Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing this month on a bill that would let truck drivers use a restroom in most situations.
The bill, SB500, has support from both Republicans and Democrats.
Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, said the rule is needed because businesses turn drivers away over fear of liability. As a result, truckers can be told “no” when they ask to use a restroom.
Birdsell added that her bill addresses a barrier to women considering careers as truck drivers.
“This is a major issue for women truck drivers, especially. It’s also interfering with the recruiting of women truck drivers,” Birdsell said.
SB500 would apply to most businesses open to the public that sell goods or services. It would also cover shippers, receivers, factories, warehouses, distribution centers and other places that load or unload trucks.
The bill applies to restrooms already used by customers or employees.
Birdsell stressed that the bill does not force businesses to build new restrooms.
“This is just a bill to allow them to use the facilities,” she said.
The bill sets two limits on restroom access:
- The restroom must be in a place where letting drivers use it does not create a health or safety risk
- Access cannot create a clear security risk for the business.
Businesses like fuel stations or restaurants with employee-only restrooms would not have to open them for drivers.
The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association supports the bill. Spokesman Bob Sculley called it a basic decency issue.
“If you’re making a delivery to a location that has restrooms, this bill says that if they are made available to their employees and customers, drivers should be able to use them,” Sculley said. “Some facilities do not give that courtesy.”
Drayage trucks included
The bill also makes sure drayage truckers can use a restroom. These are drivers who work in or travel through ports and rail yards to load, unload or move cargo.
The rule covers restrooms and portable toilets, as long as they are safe and secure for drivers.
Terminal operators would have to provide enough restrooms in places where drivers are usually allowed to go.
If traffic is heavy and lines are long, more restrooms would have to be added.
Terminals would also need to set aside parking spots, so drayage drivers have a safe place to park while they take a restroom break.
OOIDA says the rule covers a basic need
OOIDA says a restroom access rule would fix a problem truck drivers face every day.
OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh put it plainly: using a restroom is one of the most basic needs on the job.
“But way too often, professional drivers are told no when they ask to use a restroom while picking up or delivering cargo,” Pugh said.
SB500 is now waiting for its next move at the statehouse. LL
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