Mike McCready's Washroom Access Fight

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready is lobbying Washington state legislators to provide emergency access to private business washrooms for people who suffer from Crohn's disease and related disorders.

McCready has Crohn's, an autoimmune disease which inflames the bowels and can cause sudden diarrhea and extreme stomach pains.

"Imagine the worst diarrhea you've ever had and then times it by 10, with a knife in it," McCready said in front of a judiciary committee last Thursday. "You have maybe half-a-second to find out where a bathroom is."

Democratic member of the Washington House Of Represenatives Marko Lilas is sponsoring the bill, which would allow sufferers of Crohn's and other similar irritable bowel diseases to use employee restrooms if a business doesn't have a public facility. Michigan, Illinois and Texas have all passed laws similar to the one being considered in Washington.

"In general, as a society, we are loath to talk about the restroom and going to the restroom," Liias said. "For many people, the simple act of going to the restroom can be an excruciating experience."

Those who suffer from Crohn's or a similar irritable bowel disease would have to show an identity card or letter from their doctor or nurse. Businesses refusing to allow a qualified person to use their washroom could be fined $100.

McCready supports the bill because he says he's often been refused emergency washroom access and there isn't enough awareness or sensitivity among businesses towards those who suffer from irritable bowel diseases. McCready has often had to leave the stage because of Crohn's attacks while performing.

Critics of the bill say letting people who have inflammatory bowel diseases use employee washrooms could create safety issues, and it imposes requirements on businesses that aren't fair to them.

Pearl Jam will reissue their debut album, Ten, on March 24.