AB 1732, California’s Equal Restroom Access Act, goes into effect today, March 1, 2017.  Accordingly, all single-user toilet facilities in any California business establishment, place of public accommodation, or state or local government agency must be identified as all-gender toilet facilities.  A single-user toilet is “a toilet facility with no more than one water closet and one urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user.”  Essentially, single-user restrooms – restrooms with one toilet and/or urinal and sink – must now have a sign that states the restroom is for all genders.  For example, if your business establishment has two restrooms that are both single-user toilets, then both restrooms must be all-gender toilet facilities.  The signage must comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, including the required gender-neutral geometric sign (a triangle within a circle).  The new law will be enforced by inspectors, building officials, and other local officials who may perform inspections to ensure compliance.

Statewide legislation was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 29, 2016, and was hailed as the “nation’s most progressive restroom access law” by the Transgender Law Center.  Assemblyman Phil Ting, the author of the bill, stated:  “Restricting access to single-user restrooms by gender defies common sense and disproportionately burdens the LGBT community, women, and parents or caretakers of dependents of the opposite gender.  Bathroom access is a biological need.  This law will ensure more safety, fairness, and convenience … for everyone.”