ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-620
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Building construction
Civil actions and liability
Disability and health-based discrimination
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

ADA Education and Reform Act of
 
2017

 
This bill requires the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice to develop a program to educate state and local governments and property owners on strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with a disability. The program may include training for professionals to provide a guidance of remediation for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
 
The bill prohibits civil actions based on the failure to remove an architectural barrier to access into an existing public accommodation unless: (1) the aggrieved person has provided to the owners or operators a written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, and (2) the owners or operators fail to provide the person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to improve the barrier or they fail to remove the barrier or make substantial progress after providing such a description. The aggrieved person's notice must specify: (1) the address of the property, (2) the specific ADA sections alleged to have been violated, (3) whether a request for assistance in removing an architectural barrier was made, and (4) whether the barrier was permanent or temporary. 
 
The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop a model program to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve such claims. The model program should include an expedited method for determining relevant facts related to such barriers and steps to resolve accessibility issues before litigation.

action_date: 2018-01-30
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

ADA Education and Reform Act of
 
2017

 
(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice to develop a program to educate state and local governments and property owners on strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with a disability. The program may include training for professionals to provide a guidance of remediation for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
 
(Sec. 3) The bill prohibits civil actions based on the failure to remove an architectural barrier to access into an existing public accommodation unless: (1) the aggrieved person has provided to the owners or operators a written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, and (2) the owners or operators fail to provide the person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to improve the barrier or they fail to remove the barrier or make substantial progress after providing such a description. The aggrieved person's notice must specify the circumstances under which public accommodation access was denied. 
 
(Sec. 5) The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop a model program to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve such claims. The model program should include an expedited method for determining relevant facts related to such barriers and steps to resolve accessibility issues before litigation.

action_date: 2018-02-15
text: 

ADA Education and Reform Act of
 
2017

 
(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice to develop a program to educate state and local governments and property owners on strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with a disability. The program may include training for professionals to provide a guidance of remediation for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
 
(Sec. 3) The bill prohibits civil actions based on the failure to remove an architectural barrier to access into an existing public accommodation unless: (1) the aggrieved person has provided to the owners or operators a written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, and (2) the owners or operators fail to provide the person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to improve the barrier or they fail to remove the barrier or make substantial progress after providing such a description. The aggrieved person's notice must specify the circumstances under which public accommodation access was denied. 
 
(Sec. 5) The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop a model program to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve such claims. The model program should include an expedited method for determining relevant facts related to such barriers and steps to resolve accessibility issues before litigation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-02-26
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 192 (Roll no. 80). (text: CR H1192)
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 192 (Roll no. 80).(text: CR H1192)
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 620.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1198-1200)
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 620 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Mr. Poe (TX) moved that the committee rise.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Poe(TX) Part A amendment No. 6.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bera Part A amendment No. 5.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Speier Part A amendment No. 4.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Foster Part A amendment No. 3.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Langevin amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Langevin demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Langevin Part A amendment No. 2.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 736, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Denham Part A amendment No. 1.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1192-1198)
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 620 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Mr. Goodlatte moved that the committee rise.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 620.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 736 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Provides for consideration of H.R. 620 and H.R. 3978 under structured rules and H.R. 3299 under a closed rule. Each bill shall be debatable for one hour. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period of February 16, 2018 through February 23, 2018.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 736. (consideration: CR H1183-1192)
action_date: 2018-02-13
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 736 Reported to House. Provides for consideration of H.R. 620 and H.R. 3978 under structured rules and H.R. 3299 under a closed rule. Each bill shall be debatable for one hour. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period of February 16, 2018 through February 23, 2018.
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-539.
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-539.
action_date: 2017-09-07
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 9.
action_date: 2017-09-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-02-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in House