The mission of Health Systems Protection (HSP) is the protection of Delaware citizens through the monitoring and enforcement of health and safety standards as well as the prevention and control of environmental risk to human health. HSP accomplishes this mission by:

• Working with retail food establishments to ensure safe and wholesome products are available in Delaware stores and restaurants;
• Monitoring drinking water quality throughout Delaware;
• Providing oversight for radiation facilities and technicians;
• Ensuring contractors and renovators working in Delaware are using lead-safe work practices.
• Providing consultations and information on indoor air quality;
• Regulatory oversight of healthcare facilities throughout Delaware; and
• An array of additional services working to improve and protect the health and safety of all Delawareans.

• Office Location
• Contact Health Systems Protection

Access to Private Restrooms Due to Eligible Medical Condition

Under the Delaware Code, members of the public who suffer from an eligible medical condition documented by a licensed physician or who use an ostomy device may present their Eligibility for Use of Private Restroom identification badge to any business or place where members of the public have access.

Downloadable Eligibility for Use of Private Restrooms identification badge:

• Eligibility for Use of Private Restrooms identification badge

The badge should be printed, signed by a licensed physician, and kept on the person for use. To register complaints where access is denied, call 302-744-4705.

Title 16

Health and Safety

Regulatory Provisions Concerning Public Health

CHAPTER 30H. ACCESS TO PRIVATE RESTROOMS

§ 3001H Definitions.

• For purposes of this chapter:
• • (1) "Customer'' means an individual who is lawfully on the premises of a retail establishment.
  • (2) "Eligible medical condition'' means Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a restroom facility.
  • (3) "Restroom'' means a room containing a toilet.
  • (4) "Retail establishment'' means any business or place where members of the public have access as invitees, licensees, or customers.

79 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 1.;

§ 3002H Access to restrooms.

• (a) A retail establishment that has a restroom facility for its employees, not usually accessible to the public, shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the following conditions are met:
• • (1) The customer requesting the use of the employee restroom facility suffers from an eligible medical condition or uses an ostomy device, provided that the existence of the condition or device is documented in writing by a physician or other licensed medical professional, or an identification card that is issued by a nationally-recognized health organization or state agency and that indicates the customer suffers from an eligible medical condition or uses an ostomy device;
  • (2) Three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests the use of the employee restroom facility;
  • (3) The employee restroom facility is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the establishment;
  • (4) Accessing the bathroom would not expose the customer to sensitive company documents, materials, or trade secrets;
  • (5) Accessing the bathroom would not cause the retail establishment to cease or significantly curtail normal business operations; and
  • (6) A public restroom is not immediately accessible to the customer.
• (b) For purposes of this section, an "obvious health or safety risk'' would include but is not limited to a situation where accessing the employee restroom facility requires the customer to traverse an area where manufacturing or heavy equipment is in use, items are stored on high shelves, adequate lighting is not present, the floor may be wet or slippery, or hazardous materials are used or stored.

79 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 1.;

§ 3003H Physical changes or improvements.

• This chapter does not require a retail establishment to make any physical changes or improvements to an employee restroom facility located on the premises.

79 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 1.;

§ 3004H Penalty.

• A violation of this chapter shall for the first offense receive a warning. Any subsequent offense shall be punished by a civil penalty of $100.

79 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 1.;

§ 3005H Enforcement.

• The Division of Public Health shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any civil penalties collected under this chapter shall be directed to the Division of Public Health for enforcement and education related to this chapter.

79 Del. Laws, c. 414, § 1.;

§ 3006H Identification cards.

• The Division of Public Health shall develop a standard identification card that may be signed by a licensed physician as evidence of the existence of an eligible medical condition as defined in § 3001H of this title. The Division of Public Health may include a disclaimer on the card which would indicate that the Division of Public Health has not verified the authenticity of the physician's signature.

80 Del. Laws, c. 35, § 1.;

HSP - Programs