The debate over privacy rights versus civil rights has been at the center of the national conversation about gender-neutral bathrooms. New guidelines and laws have been adopted from California to New York to North Carolina. Regardless of what is right or wrong, the law is the law, and if you want your business to avoid lawsuits and fines, you need to be in compliance. Many local organizations realize this and are calling us to ask, “Do I need gender neutral restroom signs for my San Marcos CA business?” Today’s blog entry should help you answer that question.
What Is California Assembly Bill 1732?
In August of last year, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1732, also referred to as the Equal Restroom Access Act (ERAA), which established the most inclusive restroom access law in the United States. The law was sponsored by the Transgender Law Center, California National Organization for Women, and Equality California. This bill went into effect in March of this year and requires single-occupancy bathrooms in California government buildings, places of public accommodation, and businesses to be universally accessible to all genders.
As a builder, business owner, contractor, school, or property manager, you need to be aware of this new law and its impact on ADA and California restroom signage. Fortunately, All Star Signs is here to help you with this task.
What Is Required by AB 1732?
AB 1732 applies to all single-occupancy restrooms, but what are single-occupancy restrooms? The ERAA defines them as a “toilet facility with no more than one water closet and one urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user.”
The law requires these facilities to be identified as gender neutral using signs. These signs must also comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Each bathroom that fits the above definition must have at least a geometric sign and a tactile designation sign. Tactile signs include raised letters and duplicative braille that identify the lavatory.
Signage is subject to very precise requirements under Title 24, so organizations should seek the counsel of professionals regarding the detailed regulations. Though no specific wording is required, building managers should keep in mind that tactile identifiers must be gender neutral. For example, your signs could say “Unisex Toilets,” “Restroom,” “All-Gender Restroom,” or “Gender-Neutral Restroom.”
What Can Your Business Do?
Officials responsible for code enforcement, including building officials and inspectors, are authorized by AB 1732 to inspect for compliance. Therefore, affected facility managers need to make sure their single-occupancy restrooms have compliant signs.
This is where All Star Signs comes in. If you are still asking yourself, “Do I need gender neutral restroom signs for my San Marcos CA business,” let us help. We will travel to your venue, perform a site evaluation, and make recommendations for what you need to be in compliance. We can then make and install custom markers that match your branding or interior décor.
If you would like to avoid lawsuits and fines, contact our friendly experts today for a free consultation on AB 1732 signs.
