LEGISLATION CALLS FOR POTTY PARITY

Sen. Irene Treppler is tired of waiting in line to use the restroom while men zip in and out. She has introduced legislation calling for potty parity.

Treppler, R-Mattese, has introduced her potty parity bill each year since 1992, but thinks 1995 might bring its passage.

The proposal would require all public places with a capacity of less than 400 to have an equal number of men's and women's toilets. If the capacity is above 400, the ratio of toilets would be two women's for every one men's facility.

Treppler said the legislation is needed because women take more time in the restroom than men.

"It has taken a while to get them to take it seriously," Treppler said of her colleagues in the Senate. "At first, the men kind of laugh about it. But then they think about it and say `Yeah. I get tired of waiting for my wife.'"

The law would apply to new construction or renovations.

She first introduced the bill after reading about a woman arrested for using the men's room during a concert. The woman had tired of waiting in line for the women's room.

"I thought Boy somebody ought to do something," she said. "Then I decided to do something."

Last year the legislation made is to the Senate calendar and was next up for debate when the Senate adjourned.

"It's come a long way since the first time I filed it," Treppler said. "Each time it's gotten a little more support."

Since the measure was first introduced, Treppler has seen voluntary movement toward parity.

She cites the new Kiel Center in St. Louis as an example.

"The new Kiel Center has enough facilities for the women," she said. "But now the men are complaining that they have to wait in line."