DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) 

Statement of Regulatory Priorities 

 The mission of the Department of Justice is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United 

States according to the law, to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic, to provide 

Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful 

behavior, and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. In carrying out its 

mission, the Department is guided by four core values: (1) equal justice under the law; (2) honesty and 

integrity; (3) commitment to excellence; and (4) respect for the worth and dignity of each human being. 

The Department of Justice is primarily a law-enforcement agency, not a regulatory agency; it carries out 

its principal investigative, prosecutorial, and other enforcement activities through means other than the 

regulatory process. 

 The regulatory priorities of the Department include initiatives in the areas of civil rights, criminal justice, 

and immigration. These initiatives are summarized below. In addition, several other components of the 

Department carry out important responsibilities through the regulatory process. Although their regulatory 

efforts are not separately discussed in this overview of the regulatory priorities, those components have 

key roles in implementing the Department's anti-terrorism and law enforcement priorities. 

Civil Rights 

 Regulatory Plan Initiatives 

The Department is including five disability nondiscrimination rulemaking initiatives in its Regulatory Plan: 

(1) Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 in the ADA regulations (titles II and III); (2) 

Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 in the Department’s section 504 regulations; (3) 

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations: Movie Captioning and Audio 

Description; (4) Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Governments; and (5) 

Accessibility of Web Information and Services of Public Accommodations. The Department’s other 

disability nondiscrimination rulemaking initiatives, while important priorities for the Department’s 

rulemaking agenda, will be included in the Department’s long-term actions for FY 2014. As will be 

discussed more fully below, these initiatives include: (1) Accessibility of Medical Equipment and 
Furniture; (2) Accessibility of Beds in Guestrooms with Mobility Features in Places of Lodging; (3) Next 

Generation 9-1-1 Services; and (4) Accessibility of Equipment and Furniture. 

 ADA Amendments Act. In September 2008, Congress passed the ADA Amendments Act, which 

revises the definition of “disability” to more broadly encompass impairments that substantially limit a major 

life activity. In FY 2013, the Department plans to propose amendments to both its title II and title III ADA 

regulations and its section 504 regulations to implement the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. 

 Captioning and Video Description in Movie Theaters. Title III of the ADA requires public 

accommodations to take “such steps as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is 

treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the covered entity can 

demonstrate that taking such steps would cause a fundamental alteration or would result in an undue 

burden.” 42 U.S.C. section 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii). Both open and closed captioning and audio recordings 

are examples of auxiliary aids and services that should be provided by places of public accommodations, 

28 CFR section 36.303(b)(1)-(2). The Department stated in the preamble to its 1991 rule that “[m]ovie 

theaters are not required...to present open-captioned films,” 28 CFR part 36, app. C (2011), but it did not 

address closed captioning and video description in movie theaters. 

 Since 1991, there have been many technological advances in the area of closed captioning and video 

description for first-run movies. In June 2008, the Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(NPRM) to revise the ADA title III regulation, 73 FR 34466, in which the Department stated that it was 

considering options for requiring that movie theater owners or operators exhibit movies that are captioned 

or that provide video (narrative) description. The Department issued an ANPRM on July 26, 2010, to 

obtain more information regarding issues raised by commenters; to seek comment on technical questions 

that arose from the Department’s research; and to learn more about the status of digital conversion. In 

addition, the Department sought information regarding whether other technologies or areas of interest 

(e.g., 3D) have developed or are in the process of development that either would replace or augment 

digital cinema or make any regulatory requirements for captioning and video description more difficult or 

expensive to implement. The Department received approximately 1171 public comments in response to 

its movie captioning and video description ANPRM. The Department is in the process of completing its 
review of these comments and expects to publish an NPRM addressing captioning and video description 

in movie theaters in FY 2013. 

 Web Site Accessibility. The Internet as it is known today did not exist when Congress enacted the 

ADA, yet today the World Wide Web plays a critical role in the daily personal, professional, civic, and 

business life of Americans. The ADA’s expansive nondiscrimination mandate reaches goods and 

services provided by public accommodations and public entities using Internet web sites. Being unable to 

access web sites puts individuals at a great disadvantage in today’s society, which is driven by a dynamic 

electronic marketplace and unprecedented access to information. On the economic front, electronic 

commerce, or “e-commerce,” often offers consumers a wider selection and lower prices than traditional, 

“brick-and-mortar” storefronts, with the added convenience of not having to leave one’s home to obtain 

goods and services. For individuals with disabilities who experience barriers to their ability to travel or to 

leave their homes, the Internet may be their only way to access certain goods and services. Beyond 

goods and services, information available on the Internet has become a gateway to education, 

socializing, and entertainment. 

 The Internet is also dramatically changing the way that governmental entities serve the public. Public 

entities are increasingly providing their constituents access to government services and programs through 

their web sites. Through government web sites, the public can obtain information or correspond with local 

officials without having to wait in line or be placed on hold. They can also pay fines, apply for benefits, 

renew State-issued identification, register to vote, file taxes, request copies of vital records, and complete 

numerous other everyday tasks. The availability of these services and information online not only makes 

life easier for the public but also often enables governmental entities to operate more efficiently and at a 

lower cost. 

 The ADA’s promise to provide an equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to participate in and 

benefit from all aspects of American civic and economic life will be achieved in today’s technologically 

advanced society only if it is clear to State and local governments, businesses, educators, and other 

public accommodations that their web sites must be accessible. Consequently, the Department is 

considering amending its regulations implementing title II and title III of the ADA to require public entities 
and public accommodations that provide products or services to the public through Internet web sites to 

make their sites accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. 

 In particular, the Department’s ANPRM on web site accessibility sought public comment regarding 

what standards, if any, it should adopt for web site accessibility, whether the Department should adopt 

coverage limitations for certain entities, like small businesses, and what resources and services are 

available to make existing web sites accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Department also 

solicited comments on the costs of making web sites accessible and on the existence of any other 

effective and reasonably feasible alternatives to making web sites accessible. The Department received 

approximately 440 public comments and is in the process of reviewing these comments. The Department 

anticipates publishing separate NPRMs addressing web site accessibility pursuant to titles II and III of the 

ADA. The Department projects publishing the title II Web Site Accessibility NPRM in FY 2013 with the 

publication of the title III NPRM to follow in early FY 2014. 

 The final rulemaking initiatives from the 2010 ANPRMs are included in the Department’s long-term 

priorities projected for the middle to latter part of FY 2014: 

Next Generation 9-1-1. This ANPRM sought information on possible revisions to the Department’s 

regulation to ensure direct access to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) services for individuals with 

disabilities. In 1991, the Department of Justice published a regulation to implement title II of the 

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). That regulation requires public safety answering points 

(PSAPs) to provide direct access to persons with disabilities who use analog telecommunication devices 

for the deaf (TTYs), 28 CFR 35.162. Since that rule was published, there have been major changes in 

the types of communications technology used by the general public and by people who have disabilities 

that affect their hearing or speech. Many individuals with disabilities now use the Internet and wireless 

text devices as their primary modes of telecommunications. At the same time, PSAPs are planning to 

shift from analog telecommunications technology to new Internet-Protocol (IP)-enabled NG 9-1-1 services 

that will provide voice and data (such as text, pictures, and video) capabilities. As PSAPs transition from 

the analog systems to the new technologies, it is essential people with communication disabilities will be 

able to use the new systems. Therefore, the Department published this ANPRM to begin to develop 

appropriate regulatory guidance for PSAPs that are making this transition. The Department is in the 
process of completing its review of the approximately 146 public comments it received in response to its 

NG 9-1-1 ANPRM and expects to publish an NPRM addressing accessibility of NG 9-1-1 in FY 2014. 

 Equipment and Furniture. Both title II and title III of the ADA require covered entities to make 

reasonable modifications in their programs or services to facilitate participation by persons with 

disabilities. In addition, covered entities are required to ensure that people are not excluded from 

participation because facilities are inaccessible or because the entity has failed to provide auxiliary aids. 

The use of accessible equipment and furniture is often critical to an entity’s ability to provide a person with 

a disability equal access to its services. Changes in technology have resulted in the development and 

improved availability of accessible equipment and furniture that benefit individuals with disabilities. The 

2010 ADA Standards include accessibility requirements for some types of fixed equipment (e.g., ATMs, 

washing machines, dryers, tables, benches and vending machines) and the Department plans to look to 

these standards for guidance, where applicable, when it proposes accessibility standards for equipment 

and furniture that is not fixed. The ANPRM sought information about other categories of equipment, 

including beds in accessible guest rooms, and medical equipment and furniture. The Department 

received approximately 420 comments in response to its ANPRM and is in the process of reviewing these 

comments. The Department plans to publish in FY 2014 a separate NPRM pursuant to title III of the ADA 

on beds in accessible guest rooms and a more detailed ANPRM pursuant to titles II and III of the ADA 

that focuses solely on accessible medical equipment and furniture. The remaining items of equipment 

and furniture addressed in the 2010 ANPRM will be the subject of an NPRM that the Department 

anticipates publishing in late FY 2014. 

Federal Habeas Corpus Review Procedures in Capital Cases 

 Pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, on December 11, 

2008, the Department promulgated a final rule to implement certification procedures for States seeking to 

qualify for the expedited Federal habeas corpus review procedures in capital cases under chapter 154 of 

title 28 of the United States Code. On February 5, 2009, the Department published in the Federal 

Register a notice soliciting further public comment on all aspects of the December 2008 final rule. As the 

Department reviewed the comments submitted in response to the February 2009 notice, it considered 

further the statutory requirements governing the regulatory implementation of the chapter 154 certification 
procedures. The Attorney General determined that chapter 154 reasonably could be construed to allow 

the Attorney General greater discretion in making certification determinations than the December 2008 

regulations allowed. Accordingly, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register on May 25, 

2010, proposing to remove the December 2008 regulations pending the completion of a new rulemaking 

process. The Department finalized the removal of the December 2008 regulations on November 23, 

2010. The Department published an NPRM in the Federal Register on March 3, 2011, proposing a new 

rule and seeking public input on the certification procedure for chapter 154 and the standards the 

Attorney General will apply in making certification decisions. The comment period for the proposed new 

rule closed on June 1, 2011. The Department thereafter published a supplemental NPRM on February 

13, 2012, which identified a number of possible changes the Department was considering based on 

comments received in response to the publication of the proposed rule. The comment period for the 

supplemental NPRM closed on March 14, 2012, 

Criminal Law Enforcement 

 For the most part, the Department’s criminal law enforcement components do not rely on the 

rulemaking process to carry out their assigned missions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for 

example, is responsible for protecting and defending the United States against terrorist and foreign 

intelligence threats, upholding and enforcing the criminal laws of the United States, and providing 

leadership and criminal justice services to Federal, State, municipal, and international agencies and 

partners. Only in very limited contexts does the FBI rely on rulemaking. For example, in FY 2013 the FBI 

expects to propose updating its National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) regulations 

to address the current prohibition on criminal justice agencies accessing the NICS to conduct background 

checks prior to the return of firearms. 

 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Initiatives. ATF issues regulations to 

enforce the Federal laws relating to the manufacture and commerce of firearms and explosives. ATF's 

mission and regulations are designed to, among other objectives, curb illegal traffic in, and criminal use 

of, firearms, and to assist State, local, and other Federal law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and 

violence. ATF will continue, as a priority during fiscal year 2013, to seek modifications to its regulations 

governing commerce in firearms and explosives. ATF plans to issue final regulations implementing the 
provisions of the Safe Explosives Act, title XI, subtitle C, of Public Law 107-296, the Homeland Security 

Act of 2002 (enacted Nov. 25, 2002). 

 Pursuant to Executive Order 13563 “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,” ATF has 

proposed a rulemaking proceeding to amend existing regulations and extend the term of import permits 

for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years. The additional time will allow 

importers sufficient time to complete the importation of an authorized commodity before the permit expires 

and eliminate the need for importers to submit new and duplicative import applications. ATF believes that 

extending the term of import permits will result in substantial cost and time savings for both ATF and 

industry. 

 ATF also has begun a rulemaking process that will lead to promulgation of a revised set of regulations 

(27 CFR part 771) governing the procedure and practice for proposed denial of applications for 

explosives licenses or permits and proposed revocation of such licenses and permits. 

 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Initiatives. 

DEA is the primary agency responsible for coordinating the drug law enforcement activities of the 

United States and also assists in the implementation of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. 

DEA implements and enforces Titles II and III of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control 

Act of 1970 and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 801-971), as amended, and 

referred to as the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). DEA’s mission is to enforce the CSA and its 

regulations and bring to the criminal and civil justice system those organizations and individuals involved 

in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances and listed chemicals appearing in or 

destined for illicit traffic in the United States. DEA promulgates the CSA implementing regulations in title 

21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), parts 1300 to 1321. The CSA and its implementing 

regulations are designed to prevent, detect, and eliminate the diversion of controlled substances and 

listed chemicals into the illicit market while ensuring a sufficient supply of controlled substances and listed 

chemicals for legitimate medical, scientific, research, and industrial purposes. 

Pursuant to its statutory authority, DEA continuously evaluates new and emerging substances to 

determine whether such substances should be controlled under the CSA. During fiscal year 2013, in 

addition to initiating temporary scheduling actions to prevent immediate harm to the public safety, DEA 
will also consider petitions to schedule or reschedule various substances. Among other regulatory 

reviews and initiatives, DEA also plans to propose and finalize regulations implementing the Secure and 

Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-273) to provide means for individuals to safely and 

securely dispose of controlled substances. 

2013 

 Bureau of Prisons Initiatives. The Federal Bureau of Prisons issues regulations to enforce the Federal 

laws relating to its mission: to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of 

prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, 

and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming lawabiding citizens. During the next 12 months, in addition to other regulatory objectives aimed at 

accomplishing its mission, the Bureau will continue its ongoing efforts to: streamline regulations, 

eliminating unnecessary language and improving readability; improve disciplinary procedures through a 

revision of the subpart relating to the disciplinary process; reduce the introduction of contraband through 

various means, such as clarifying drug and alcohol surveillance testing programs; protect the public from 

continuing criminal activity committed within prison; and enhance the Bureau’s ability to more closely 

monitor the communications of high-risk inmates. 

Immigration 

 On March 1, 2003, pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), the responsibility for 

immigration enforcement and for providing immigration-related services and benefits, such as 

naturalization and work authorization, was transferred from the Justice Department's Immigration and 

Naturalization Service (INS) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, the immigration 

judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals (Board) in the Executive Office for Immigration Review 

(EOIR) remain part of the Department of Justice. The immigration judges adjudicate approximately 

400,000 cases each year to determine whether aliens should be removed from the United States or 

should be granted some form of relief from removal. The Board has jurisdiction over appeals from the 

decisions of immigration judges, as well as other matters. Accordingly, the Attorney General has a 

continuing role in the conduct of removal hearings, the granting of relief from removal, and custody 

determinations regarding the detention of aliens pending completion of removal proceedings. The 
Attorney General also is responsible for civil litigation and criminal prosecutions relating to the immigration 

laws. 

In several pending rulemaking actions, the Department is working to revise and update the regulations 

relating to removal proceedings in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the hearings. In 

furtherance of these goals, the Department is drafting a regulation to improve the recognition and 

accreditation process for organizations and representatives that appear in immigration proceedings. 

With the assistance of DHS, the Department is also drafting a regulation pursuant to the William 

Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to implement procedures that take 

into account the specialized needs of unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings. In addition, 

the Department is considering regulatory action to address mental incompetency issues in removal 

proceedings. Moreover, the Department is finalizing a regulation requiring attorneys and accredited 

representatives to register electronically with EOIR, as an initial step in a multi-year, multi-phased 

initiative to make the transition to an electronic case access and filing system. Finally, in response to 

Executive Order 13653, the Department is retrospectively reviewing EOIR’s regulations to eliminate 

regulations that unnecessarily duplicate DHS’s regulations and update outdated references to the pre2002 immigration system. 

Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations 

 Pursuant to section 6 of Executive Order 13563 "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review" 

(Jan. 18, 2011), the following Regulatory Identifier Numbers (RINs) have been identified as associated 

with retrospective review and analysis in the Department’s final retrospective review of regulations plan. 

Some of these entries on this list may be completed actions, which do not appear in The Regulatory Plan. 

However, more information can be found about these completed rulemakings in past publications of the 

Unified Agenda on Reginfo.gov in the Completed Actions section for that agency. These rulemakings can 

also be found on Regulations.gov. The final Justice Department plan can be found at: 

http://www.justice.gov/open/doj-rr-final-plan.pdf. 
RIN Title Description 

1140-

AA42 

Importation of Arms, 

Ammunition and Implements 

of War and Machine Guns, 

Destructive Devices, and 

Certain Other Firearms; 

Extending the Term of Import 

Permits” 

The regulations in 27 C.F.R. 447 and 479 generally 

provide that firearms, ammunition, and defense articles 

may not be imported into the United States except 

pursuant to a permit. Section 447.43 provides that import 

permits are valid for one year from their issuance date. 

ATF will consider whether these regulations could be 

revised to achieve the same regulatory objective in a 

manner that is less burdensome for both industry and ATF. 

This rulemaking could reduce paperwork burdens on the 

small entities that apply for these permits by as much as 

half. 

1125–

AA71 

Retrospective Regulatory 

Review Under E.O. 13563 of 

8 CFR Parts 1003, 1103, 

1211, 1212, 1215, 1216, 

1235 

Advance notice of future rulemaking concerning appeals of 

DHS decisions (8 C.F.R. part 1103), documentary 

requirements for aliens (8 C.F.R. parts 1211 and 1212), 

control of aliens departing from the United States (8 C.F.R. 

part 1215), procedures governing conditional permanent 

resident status (8 C.F.R. part 1216), and inspection of 

individuals applying for admission to the United States (8 

C.F.R. part 1235). A number of attorneys, firms, and 

organizations in immigration practice are small entities. 

EOIR believes this rule will improve the efficiency and 

fairness of adjudications before EOIR by, for example, 

eliminating duplication, ensuring consistency with the 

Department of Homeland Security’s regulations in chapter I 

of title 8 of the CFR, and delineating more clearly the 

authority and jurisdiction of each agency. 
Executive Order 13609 – Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation 

 The Department is not currently engaged in international regulatory cooperation activities that are 

reasonably anticipated to lead to significant regulations. 
The 5 Actions Described in the Regulatory Plan

Title

Regulation 

Identifier 

Number

Rulemaking 

Stage

Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Title II and Title III of the ADA) 1190-AA59 Proposed Rule Stage

Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973). 1190-AA60 Proposed Rule Stage

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Movie Captioning and Video Description 1190-AA63 Proposed Rule Stage

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Web Information and Services

of State and Local Governments 1190-AA65 Proposed Rule Stage

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services

of Public Accommodations 1190-AA61 Long-term Action Stage

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Civil Rights Division ( CRT ) RIN: 1190-AA59

 View Related Documents

Title: Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Title II and Title III of the ADA)

Abstract: This rule would propose to amend the Department's regulations implementing title II and title III of the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA), 28 CFR part 35 and 28 CFR part 36, to implement changes to the ADA enacted in the ADA

Amendments Act of 2008, Public Law 110-325, 122 Stat. 3553 (Sept. 25, 2008). The ADA Amendments Act took effect on

January 1, 2009. The ADA Amendments Act amended the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq., to clarify

terms within the definition of disability and to establish standards that must be applied to determine if a person has a covered

disability. These changes are intended to mitigate the effects of the Supreme Court's decisions in Sutton v. United Airlines, 527

U.S. 471 (1999), and Toyota Motor Manufacturing v. Williams, 534, U.S. 184 (2002). Specifically, the ADA Amendments Act (1)

adds illustrative lists of "major life activities," including "major bodily functions," that provide more examples of covered activities

and covered conditions than are now contained in agency regulations (sec. 3[2]); (2) clarifies that a person who is "regarded as"

having a disability does not have to be regarded as being substantially limited in a major life activity (sec. 3[3]); and (3) adds

rules of construction regarding the definition of disability that provide guidance in applying the term "substantially limits" and

prohibit consideration of mitigating measures in determining whether a person has a disability (sec. 3[4]).

Priority: Other Significant Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule

Major: No Unfunded Mandates: No

CFR Citation: 28 CFR 35; 28 CFR 36 (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations ) 

Legal Authority: PL 110-325; 42 USC 12134(a); 42 USC 12186(b)

Legal Deadline: None

Regulatory Plan:

Statement of Need: This rule is necessary to bring the Department's ADA regulations into compliance with the ADA

Amendments Act of 2008, which became effective on January 1, 2009. In addition, this rule is necessary to make the

Department's ADA title II and title III regulations consistent with the ADA title I regulations issued on March 25, 2011 by the

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) incorporating the ADA Amendments Act definition of disability.

Legal Basis: The summary of the legal basis of authority for this regulation is set forth above in the abstract.

Alternatives: Because this NPRM implements statutory changes to the ADA, there are no appropriate alternatives to issuing

this NPRM.

Costs and Benefits: The Department's preliminary analysis indicates that the proposed rule would not be "economically

significant," that is, the rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million, or adversely affect in a material way

the economy, a sector of the economy, the environment, public health or safety or State, local or tribal governments or

communities. In this NPRM, the Department will be soliciting public comment in response to its preliminary analysis.

Risks: The ADA authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the ADA and to promulgate regulations implementing the law's

requirements. Failure to update the Department's regulations to conform to statutory changes and to be consistent with the

EEOC regulations under title I of the ADA will interfere with the Department's enforcement efforts and lead to confusion about

the law's requirements among entities covered by titles I, II and III of the ADA, as well as members of the public.

Timetable:

Action Date FR Cite

NPRM 03/00/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Local; State

Small Entities Affected: Business; Governmental Jurisdictions Federalism: Undetermined

Energy Affected: No

Agency Contact: Gregory B. Friel 

Acting Chief

Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20031

Washington , DC 20031 

Phone: 800 514-0301 

FAX: 202 307-1198

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Civil Rights Division ( CRT ) RIN: 1190-AA60

 View Related Documents

Title: Implementation of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).

Abstract: This rule would propose to amend the Department's regulations implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of

1973, as amended, 28 CFR part 39 and part 42, subpart G, and its regulation implementing Executive Order 12250, 28 CFR

part 41, to reflect statutory amendments to the definition of disability applicable to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which

were enacted in the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Public Law 110-325, 122 Stat. 3553 (Sep. 25, 2008). The ADA

Amendments Act took effect on January 1, 2009. The ADA Amendments Act revised 29 U.S.C. section 705, to make the

definition of disability used in the nondiscrimination provisions in title V of the Rehabilitation Act consistent with the amended

ADA requirements. These amendments (1) add illustrative lists of "major life activities," including "major bodily functions," that

provide more examples of covered activities and covered conditions than are now contained in agency regulations (sec. 3[2]);

(2) clarify that a person who is "regarded as" having a disability does not have to be regarded as being substantially limited in a

major life activity (sec. 3[3]); and (3) add rules of construction regarding the definition of disability that provide guidance in

applying the term "substantially limits" and prohibit consideration of mitigating measures in determining whether a person has a

disability (sec. 3[4]). The Department anticipates that these changes will be published for comment in a proposed rule within the

next 12 months. During the drafting of these revisions, the Department will also review the currently published rules to ensure

that any other legal requirements under the Rehabilitation Act have been properly addressed in these regulations.

Priority: Other Significant Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule

Major: No Unfunded Mandates: No

CFR Citation: 28 CFR 39; 28 CFR 41; 28 CFR 42, subpart G (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal

Regulations ) 

Legal Authority: PL 110-325; 29 USC 794 (sec 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended); EO 12250 (45 FR 72955;

11/04/1980)

Legal Deadline: None

Regulatory Plan:

Statement of Need: This rule is necessary to bring the Department's prior section 504 regulations into compliance with the

ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which became effective on January 1, 2009.

Legal Basis: The summary of the legal basis of authority for this regulation is set forth above in the abstract.

Alternatives: Because this NPRM implements statutory changes to the Section 504 definition of disability, there are no

appropriate alternatives to issuing this NPRM.

Costs and Benefits: The Department has determined that this rule would not be "economically significant," that is, that the

rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector

of the economy, the environment, public health or safety or State, local or tribal governments or communities. In this NPRM, the

Department will be soliciting public comment in response to its preliminary analysis.

Risks: Failure to update the Department's Section 504 regulations to conform to statutory changes will interfere with the

Department's enforcement efforts and lead to confusion about the law's requirements among entities that receive federal

financial assistance from the Department or who participate in its federally conducted programs.

Timetable:

Action Date FR Cite

NPRM 11/00/2013 

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Local; State

Small Entities Affected: Business; Governmental Jurisdictions Federalism: Undetermined
Energy Affected: No

Agency Contact: Gregory B. Friel 

Acting Chief

Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20031

Washington , DC 20031 

Phone: 800 514-0301 

FAX: 202 307-1198

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Civil Rights Division ( CRT ) RIN: 1190-AA63

 View Related Documents

Title: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Movie Captioning and Video Description

Abstract: Following its advance notice of proposed rulemaking published on July 26, 2010, the Department plans to publish a

proposed rule addressing the requirements for captioning and video description of movies exhibited in movie theatres under title

III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Title III prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities

of places of public accommodation (private entities whose operations affect commerce and that fall into one of twelve categories

listed in the ADA). 42 U.S.C. 12181-12189. Title III makes it unlawful for places of public accommodation, such as movie

theaters, to discriminate against individuals with disabilities in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities,

privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation (42 U.S.C. 12182[a]). Moreover, title III prohibits

places of public accommodation from affording an unequal or lesser service to individuals or classes of individuals with

disabilities than is offered to other individuals (42 U.S.C. 12182(b)(1)(A)(ii)). Title III requires places of public accommodation to

take "such steps as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or

otherwise treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, such as captioning and video description,

unless the entity can demonstrate that taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the good, service, facility,

privilege, advantage, or accommodation being offered or would result in an undue burden," (42 U.S.C. 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii)).

Priority: Other Significant Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule

Major: No Unfunded Mandates: No

CFR Citation: 28 CFR 36 (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations ) 

Legal Authority: 42 USC 12101, et seq

Legal Deadline: None

Regulatory Plan:

Statement of Need: A significant-and increasing-proportion of Americans have hearing or vision disabilities that prevent them

from fully and effectively understanding movies without captioning or audio description. For persons with hearing and vision

disabilities, the unavailability of captioned or audio-described movies inhibits their ability to socialize and fully take part in family

outings and deprives them of the opportunity to meaningfully participate in an important aspect of American culture. Many

individuals with hearing or vision disabilities who commented on the Department's 2010 ANPRM remarked that they have not

been able to enjoy a commercial movie unless they watched it on TV, or that when they took their children to the movies they

could not understand what they were seeing or discuss what was happening with their children. Today, more and more movies

are produced with captions and audio description. However, despite the underlying ADA obligation, the advancement of digital

technology and the availability of captioned and audio-described films, many movie theaters are still not exhibiting captioned or

audio-described movies, and when they do exhibit them, they are only for a few showings of a movie, and usually at off-times.

Recently, a number of theater companies have committed to provide greater availability of captioning and audio description. In

some cases, these have been nationwide commitments; in other cases it has only been in a particular state or locality. A

uniform federal ADA requirement for captioning and audio description is necessary to ensure that access to movies for persons

with hearing and vision disabilities is not dictated by the individual's residence or the presence of litigation in their locality. In

addition, the movie theater industry is in the process of converting its movie screens to use digital technology, and the

Department believes that it will be extremely helpful to provide timely guidance on the ADA requirements for captioning and

audio description so that the industry may factor this into its conversion efforts and minimize costs.

Legal Basis: The summary of the legal basis of authority for this regulation is set forth above in the abstract.

Alternatives: The Department will consider any public comments that propose achievable alternatives that will still accomplish

the goal of providing access to movies for persons with hearing and vision disabilities. However, the Department believes that

the baseline alternative of not providing such access would be inconsistent with the provisions of Title III of the ADA.

Costs and Benefits: The Department's preliminary analysis indicates that the proposed rule would not be "economically

significant," that is, that the rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million, or adversely affect in a material

way the economy, a sector of the economy, the environment, public health or safety or State, local or tribal governments or

communities. In the NPRM, the Department will be soliciting public comment in response to its preliminary analysis regarding

the costs imposed by the rule .
Risks: Without the proposed changes to the Department's Title III regulation, persons with hearing and vision disabilities will

continue to be denied access to movies shown in movie theaters and movie theater owners and operators will not understand

what they are required to do in order to provide auxiliary aids and services to patrons with hearing and vision disabilities.

Timetable:

Action Date FR Cite

ANPRM 07/26/2010 75 FR 43467 

ANPRM Comment Period End 01/24/2011 

NPRM 05/00/2013 

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: No

Small Entities Affected: Business Federalism: No

Energy Affected: No

Agency Contact: Gregory B. Friel 

Acting Chief

Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20031

Washington , DC 20031 

Phone: 800 514-0301 

FAX: 202 307-1198

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Civil Rights Division ( CRT ) RIN: 1190-AA65

 View Related Documents

Title: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local

Governments

Abstract: The Department published an ANPRM on July 26, 2010, RIN 1190-AA61, that addressed issues relating to proposed

revisions of both the title II and title III ADA regulations in order to provide guidance on the obligations of covered entities to

make programs, services and activities offered over the Web accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Department has now

divided the rulemakings in the next step of the rulemaking process so as to proceed with separate notices of proposed

rulemakings for title II and title III. The title III rulemaking on Web accessibility will continue under RIN 1190-AA61 and the title II

rulemaking will continue under the new RIN 1190-AA65. This rulemaking will provide specific guidance to State and local

governments in order to make services, programs, or activities offered to the public via the Web accessible to individuals with

disabilities. The ADA requires that State and local governments provide qualified individuals with disabilities equal access to their

programs, services, or activities unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of their programs, services, or activities or

would impose an undue burden. 42. U.S.C. 12132. The Internet as it is known today did not exist when Congress enacted the

ADA; yet today the Internet is dramatically changing the way that governmental entities serve the public. Taking advantage of

new technology, citizens can now use State and local government websites to correspond online with local officials; obtain

information about government services; renew library books or driver's licenses; pay fines; register to vote; obtain tax information

and file tax returns; apply for jobs or benefits; and complete numerous other civic tasks. These government websites are

important because they allow programs and services to be offered in a more dynamic, interactive way in order to increase

citizen participation; increase convenience and speed in obtaining information or services; reduce costs in providing information

about government services and administering programs; reduce the amount of paperwork; and expand the possibilities of

reaching new sectors of the community or offering new programs or services. Many States and localities have begun to improve

the accessibility of portions of their websites. However, full compliance with the ADA's promise to provide an equal opportunity

for individuals with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all aspects of the programs, services, and activities provided by

State and local governments in today's technologically advanced society will only occur if it is clear to public entities that their

websites must be accessible. Consequently, the Department intends to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to

amend its title II regulations to expressly address the obligations of public entities to make the websites they use to provide

programs, activities, or services or information to the public accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities under the

legal framework established by the ADA. The proposed regulation will propose the scope of the obligation to provide

accessibility when persons with disabilities access public websites, as well as propose the technical standards necessary to

comply with the ADA.

Priority: Economically Significant Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule

Major: Undetermined Unfunded Mandates: No

CFR Citation: 28 CFR 35 (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations ) 

Legal Authority: 42 USC 12101, et seq

Legal Deadline: None

Regulatory Plan:

Statement of Need: Many people with disabilities use "assistive technology" to enable them to use computers and access the
Internet. Individuals who are blind or have low vision who cannot see computer monitors may use screen readers--devices that

speak the text that would normally appear on a monitor. People who have difficulty using a computer mouse can use voice

recognition software to control their computers with verbal commands. People with other types of disabilities may use still other

kinds of assistive technology. New and innovative assistive technologies are being introduced every day. Websites that do not

accommodate assistive technology, for example, can create unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities, just as buildings

not designed to accommodate people with disabilities prevent some individuals from entering and accessing services. Web

designers may not realize how simple features built into a website will assist someone who, for instance, cannot see a

computer monitor or use a mouse. In addition, in many cases, these websites do not provide captioning for videos or live events

streamed over the web, leaving persons who are deaf or hard of hearing unable to access the information that is being

provided. Although an increasing number of State and local governments are making efforts to provide accessible websites,

because there are no specific ADA standards for website accessibility, these websites vary in actual usability.

Legal Basis: The ADA requires that State and local governments provide qualified individuals with disabilities equal access to

their programs, services, or activities unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of their programs, services, or

activities or would impose an undue burden. 42. U.S.C. 12132.

Alternatives: The Department intends to consider various alternatives for ensuring full access to websites of State and local

governments and will solicit public comment addressing these alternatives.

Costs and Benefits: The Department anticipates that this rule will be "economically significant," that is, that the rule will have

an annual effect on the economy of $100 million, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy,

the environment, public health or safety or State, local or tribal governments or communities. However, the Department believes

that revising its title II rule to clarify the obligations of State and local governments to provide accessible websites will

significantly increase the opportunities for citizens with disabilities to participate in, and benefit from, State and local government

programs, activities, and services. It will also ensure that individuals have access to important information that is provided over

the Internet, including emergency information. The Department also believes that providing accessible websites will benefit

State and local governments as it will increase the numbers of citizens who can use these websites, and thus improve the

efficiency of delivery of services to the public. In drafting this NPRM, the Department will attempt to minimize the compliance

costs to State and local governments while ensuring the benefits of compliance to persons with disabilities.

Risks: If the Department does not revise its ADA title II regulations to address website accessibility, persons with disabilities in

many communities will continue to be unable to access their State and local governmental services in the same manner

available to citizens without disabilities, and in some cases will not be able to access those services at all.

Timetable:

Action Date FR Cite

ANPRM 07/26/2010 75 FR 43460 

ANPRM Comment Period End 01/21/2011 

NPRM 07/00/2013 

Additional Information: Split from RIN 1190-AA61.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Local; State

Small Entities Affected: Governmental Jurisdictions Federalism: Undetermined

Energy Affected: No

Agency Contact: Gregory B. Friel 

Acting Chief

Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20031

Washington , DC 20031 

Phone: 800 514-0301 

FAX: 202 307-1198

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Civil Rights Division ( CRT ) RIN: 1190-AA61

 View Related Documents

Title: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of Public Accommodations

Abstract: The Department of Justice is considering proposed revisions to the regulation implementing title III of the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to address the obligations of public accommodations to make goods, services, facilities,

privileges, accommodations, or advantages they offer via the Internet, specifically at sites on the World Wide Web (Web),

accessible to individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires that public accommodations provide individuals with full and equal

enjoyment of their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations. 42. U.S.C. 12182. The Internet as it

is known today did not exist when Congress enacted the ADA. Today the Internet, most notably the sites on the Web, plays a

critical role in the daily personal, professional, and business life of most Americans. Increasingly, private entities of all types are
providing goods and services to the public through websites that operate as places of public accommodation under title III of the

ADA. Many websites of public accommodations, however, render use by individuals with disabilities difficult or impossible due to

barriers posed by websites designed without accessible features. Being unable to access websites puts individuals at a great

disadvantage in today's society, which is driven by a global marketplace and unprecedented access to information. On the

economic front, electronic commerce, or "e-commerce," often offers consumers a wider selection and lower prices than

traditional "brick-and-mortar" storefronts, with the added convenience of not having to leave one's home to obtain goods and

services. Beyond goods and services, information available on the Internet has become a gateway to education. Schools at all

levels are increasingly offering programs and classroom instruction through websites. Many colleges and universities offer

degree programs online; some universities exist exclusively on the Internet. The Internet also is changing the way individuals

socialize and seek entertainment. Social networks and other online meeting places provide a unique way for individuals to meet

and fraternize. These networks allow individuals to meet others with similar interests and connect with friends, business

colleagues, elected officials, and businesses. They also provide an effective networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, artists,

and others seeking to put their skills and talents to use. Websites also bring a myriad of entertainment and information options

for internet users-from games and music to news and videos. The ADA's promise to provide an equal opportunity for individuals

with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all aspects of American civic and economic life will be achieved in today's

technologically advanced society only if it is clear to businesses, educators, and other public accommodations, that their

websites must be accessible. Consequently, the Department is proposing to amend its title III regulation to expressly address

the obligations of public accommodations to make the websites they use to provide their goods and services to the public

accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities under the legal framework established by the ADA. The proposed

regulation will propose the scope of the obligation to provide accessibility when persons with disabilities attempt to access

websites of public accommodations, as well as propose the technical standards necessary to comply with the ADA.

Priority: Economically Significant Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-term Action

Major: No Unfunded Mandates: No

CFR Citation: 28 CFR 36 (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations ) 

Legal Authority: 42 USC 12101, et seq

Legal Deadline: None

Regulatory Plan:

Statement of Need: Many people with disabilities use "assistive technology" to enable them to use computers and access the

Internet. Individuals who are blind or have low vision who cannot see computer monitors may use screen readers-devices that

speak the text that would normally appear on a monitor. People who have difficulty using a computer mouse can use voice

recognition software to control their computers with verbal commands. People with other types of disabilities may use still other

kinds of assistive technology. New and innovative assistive technologies are being introduced every day. Websites that do not

accommodate assistive technology, for example, can create unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities, just as buildings

not designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities can prevent some individuals from entering and accessing services.

Web designers may not realize how simple features built into a website will assist someone who, for instance, cannot see a

computer monitor or use a mouse. In addition, in many cases, these websites do not provide captioning for videos or live events

streamed over the web, leaving persons who are deaf or hard of hearing unable to access the information that is being

provided Although the Department has been clear that the ADA applies to websites of private entities that meet the definition of

"public accommodations," inconsistent court decisions, differing standards for determining web accessibility, and repeated calls

for Department action indicate remaining uncertainty regarding the applicability of the ADA to websites of entities covered by

title III. For these reasons, the Department plans to propose to amendments to its regulation so as to make clear to entities

covered by the ADA their obligations to make their websites accessible. Despite the need for action, the Department

appreciates the need to move forward deliberatively. Any regulations the Department adopts must provide specific guidance to

help ensure web access to individuals with disabilities without hampering innovation and technological advancement on the

Web.

Legal Basis: The ADA requires that public accommodations provide individuals with full and equal enjoyment of their goods,

services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations. 42. U.S.C. 12182. Increasingly, private entities of all types are

providing goods and services to the public through websites that operate as places of public accommodation under title III of

the ADA.

Alternatives: The Department intends to consider various alternatives for ensuring full access to websites of public

accommodations and will solicit public comment addressing these alternatives.

Costs and Benefits: The Department anticipates that this rule will be "economically significant." The Department believes that

revising its title III rule to clarify the obligations of public accommodations to provide accessible websites will significantly

increase the opportunities of individuals with disabilities to access the variety of goods and services public accommodations

offer on the web, while increasing the number of customers that access the websites to procure the goods and service offered

by these public accommodations. In drafting this NPRM, the Department will attempt to minimize the compliance costs to public

accommodations, while ensuring the benefits of compliance to persons with disabilities.

Risks: If the Department does not revise its ADA title III regulations to address website accessibility, persons with disabilities

will continue to be unable to access the many goods and services of public accommodations available on the web to

individuals without disabilities.

Timetable:

Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM 07/26/2010 75 FR 43460 

ANPRM Comment Period End 01/24/2011 

NPRM 12/00/2013 

Additional Information: See also RIN 1190-AA65 which was split from this RIN of 1190-AA61.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: No

Small Entities Affected: Business Federalism: No

Energy Affected: No

Agency Contact: Gregory B. Friel 

Acting Chief

Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20031

Washington , DC 20031 

Phone: 800 514-0301 

FAX: 202 307-1198