An underreported bill in the current congressional session would create a waiting period for Americans with Disabilities Act claims.
"The House judiciary committee has voted to move forward with a bill that could roll back some Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections," reports Sara Luterman.
The ADA Education and Reform Act (HR 620), "would amend the ADA to add a 120 day waiting period between when a business is notified of an ADA violation and when the person reporting can take the case to court," reports Luterman. "During that 120 days, businesses would be expected to fix or 'make substantial progress' towards fixing a reported accessibility problem."
Bill author Representative Ted Poe (R-Tex) has said that the bill is designed to protect small business from predatory lawsuits. National Disability Rights Network Senior Policy Analyst Dara Baldwin of the has posted an online petition asserting that HR 620 "would create significant obstacles" for disabled people to enforce their rights "to access public accommodations, and would impede their ability to engage in daily activities and participate in the mainstream of society."
The bill has bipartisan support. "Now that it has gone through markup, the bill will go to the floor of the House of Representatives, where it will go to a vote," adds Luterman.
FULL STORY: ANTI-ADA LEGISLATION ADVANCES IN HOUSE
House Bill 'Guts' ADA Enforcement for Public Places
Designed to thwart predatory lawsuits, the bill could make it easier for businesses to ignore barriers to access, disability rights advocates say.
25 Years of the Americans With Disabilities Act
Twenty-five years have passed since the United States approved a civil rights law with broad and positive affect on the build environment as we've come to know it.
FTA Announces Accessibility Funding for ‘Legacy Stations’
The 2024 budget includes close to $350 million for accessibility improvements at transit stations.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie