Finding a toilet could get easier in Washington

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed a bill that lets people have easier access to business’ bathrooms. Gregoire signed the bill Monday and it takes effect July 26. The original proposal required retailers without public restrooms to allow people with inflammatory bowel diseases to use employee restrooms, if they had an identification card or a letter from a doctor or nurse. That provision remains in the new law. But it also requires businesses to allow any customer to use an employee restroom if three or more employees are working at the time, and the request doesn’t pose a security risk. Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, testified for the bill earlier this year.