I would recommend printing or purchasing a restroom sign in and out sheet. On this sheet, students must put the date and sign in and out when leaving the classroom to use the restroom. This helps you keep track of how many times students are leaving and re-entering the classroom and for how long. This data will provide evidence when you address the misbehavior with the student. Oftentimes students are not keeping track of the time so they will lie and say they were not in the bathroom for twenty minutes. If the misbehavior continues, I would inform the student, they are responsible for any work that is unfinished so if they choose to stay in the bathroom for long periods of time then they will be missing valuable information. Inform them of the important topics and class schedule daily. Remind students any unfinished work must be taken home and returned the following day. This will help you address the behavior without taking time out from classroom instruction.

I'd say first have a talk with the students abusing their bathroom use because like you said you never know if it was an emergency or not. Then try to set a maximum amount of time to use the restroom. It shouldn't be too short of time like 5 minutes especially when there might be people waiting to use the restroom, but try to cut those 20 minutes to 10 minutes. Have a log where students sign off when they left with an initial and a initial when they return. Have a punishment if the behavior continues so students will try to be more efficient with their bathroom use.

To address lengthy bathroom breaks, establish clear expectations for break duration and implement a sign-out system to monitor time spent outside class. Consider scheduling regular breaks to reduce disruptions and discuss the importance of this privilege with your students, emphasizing its impact on learning. For consistent misuse, apply suitable consequences but remain open to discussing individual needs, as there may be underlying issues. Positive reinforcement for proper use can encourage adherence to the rules, creating a balance between structure and understanding individual needs.

A possible solution would be to have a bathroom rule, like only one pass per class period. To make sure that there is not an issue with this rule, I would send a note home to all the parents, informing them of the new rule and ask them to please indicate if an accomodation is needed for their child.

I would limit bathroom passes per class (one pass for each student). If they need more due to accommodations or medical issues happening I would ask that a parent sends me a letter. If you notice a pattern, I would speak to the student after class about the issue.

I would recommend sending the students with a timer that can hang from the stall or around their necks when they go. Also implement a sign in and sign out sheet. Each time they come back they must disinfect the timer as well.

Set clear guidelines for the use of the bathroom pass and keep an eye on bathroom trips to address the issue of students spending excessive time out of class to use it. To promote responsible behavior and minimize disruptions to instructional time, think about restricting the frequency of passes, offering alternatives, and enforcing repercussions for abusing the privilege.

I agree with a student sign in or sign out sheet. Also, you could give only specific bathroom break times, unless something is truly an emergency.