Source: https://www.justice.gov/crt/settlement-agreement-under-americans-disabilities-act-between-united-states-america-and-motel-6
Timestamp: 2019-03-24 14:28:51
Document Index: 344919296

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 12101', '§ 12181', 'art 36', '§ 12183', '§ 36', '§ 36', '§ 3', 'art 36', '§ 9', '§ 12181', '§ 36', '§ 12188', '§ 3', '§ 12183', '§ 36', '§ 12181', '§ 36', '§ 12188', '§ 36', '§ 12183', '§ 36', 'art 36', '§ 9', '§ 12188']

Settlement Agreement Under The Americans With Disabilities Act Between The United States Of America And Motel 6 Operating L.p. | CRT | Department of Justice
Settlement Agreement Under The Americans With Disabilities Act Between The United States Of America And Motel 6 Operating L.p.
2. "ADA" means the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. Â§Â§ 12101 et seq., and its implementing regulations issued by the United States in effect on the date of the execution of this Agreement.
3. "Title III" means specifically title III of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. Â§Â§ 12181-12189 (1990), and the implementing regulations in 28 C.F.R. Part 36 and Appendix A in effect on the date of the execution of this Agreement.
6. "Alteration" and other forms of "alter" mean modification to a facility, which has occurred since January 26, 1992, in a manner that affects or could affect the usability of that facility or part thereof, within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12183(a)(2) and 28 C.F.R. Â§ 36.402, Â§ 36.403, and App. A Â§ 3.5.
8. “Dispersal of Guestrooms” refers to the classes of sleeping accommodations including room size, cost, amenities provided and number of beds provided. See 28 C.F.R. Part 36, App. A Â§Â§ 9.1.4(1) and (2).
9. Motel 6 is a public accommodation because it is a private entity that owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation. 42 U.S.C. Â§Â§ 12181(6), (7); 28 C.F.R. Â§ 36.104.
10. The Department initiated a compliance review of Motel 6 facilities owned by its parent company Accor, pursuant to the Attorney General’s authority under 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12188(b)(1)(A)(i) to conduct periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities. As part of its review, the Department conducted architectural surveys of a number of Motel 6 facilities.
13. Facilities which have undergone alterations, as defined by the Standards Â§ 3.5, are required to ensure, among other things, that if existing elements, spaces, or common areas are altered, then each such altered element, space, feature, or area shall comply with the applicable provisions of the requirements for new construction. 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12183(a)(2)(A)(iv); 28 C.F.R. Â§Â§ 36.402-406; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36, App. A. Rather than undertake a case by case analysis of every altered facility, Motel 6 has agreed to enter a system-wide settlement that will ensure access at all of its facilities. Because nearly all Motel 6 facilities have undergone one or more renovations during the past 10 years, and because Motel 6 fully supports the ADA and welcomes persons with disabilities at its facilities, Motel 6 has agreed to take steps to make all of its properties accessible and usable to individuals with disabilities.
14. All Motel 6's in the United States are places of lodging and are thus places of public accommodation within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12181(7)(A) and 28 C.F.R. Â§ 36.104.
15. The United States enters into this Agreement pursuant to its authority, under 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12188(b) and 28 C.F.R. Â§ 36.503, to enforce the ADA. The parties enter into this Agreement in order to avoid litigation.
16. Motel 6 agrees to design and construct new facilities in compliance with the ADA and to ensure that any alterations made to an existing facility are, to the maximum extent possible, readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12183(a)(2)(A)(iv); 28 C.F.R. Â§Â§ 36.402-406; 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36, App. A.
17. By no later than July 31, 2004, Motel 6 shall designate or hire a Compliance Officer who will have authority and responsibility for ensuring that Motel 6 meets the terms of this Agreement and of the ADA. The Compliance Officer will – at Motel 6's expense – undergo training on the ADA’s accessibility requirements by no later than October 1, 2004.
18. By no later than October 1, 2004, Motel 6 will identify and train no fewer than twenty Motel 6 personnel – including, at least two from each region – who will assist the Compliance Officer in (a) evaluating every Motel 6 facility to identify potential ADA violations, if any, and (b) closely monitoring the work of private contractors hired to carry out accessibility work. The training will include a two day program provided by the United States (directly and/or through a private contractor chosen by the United States and paid for by Motel 6 ) as well as additional training provided by Motel 6.
21. With regard to all of its “newly constructed” facilities (those properties constructed by Motel 6 for first occupancy after January 26, 1993), Motel 6 will, by no later than December 31, 2005, conform all elements that deviate from the Standards of Accessible Design.
J. Dispersal of Accessible Guestrooms: For each type of available room there shall be a minimum of one accessible guestroom meeting the Standards. In many Motel 6 facilities that were constructed for first occupancy before January 26, 1993, the guestrooms are too small to contain two double beds and to meet the Standards of Accessible Design. In these circumstances, if a person with a disability requests an accessible room with two beds, Motel 6 may choose from several options. Motel 6 may rent such individual the designated accessible room and a connecting room together for the price of one room. (See 28 C.F.R. Part 36, Appendix A Â§ 9.1.4). In situations where there are no adjoining rooms that may be linked for this purpose, Motel 6 may offer a guest either two adjacent rooms, or one room that otherwise meets the Standards but has one double (or queen size bed) and one single bed.
K. Number of Accessible Guest Rooms: At least 50% of the number of accessible guest rooms required by the Standards at each facility shall meet the requirements of the Standards by no later than December 30, 2005; the remaining 50% shall be provided by December 30, 2006. Each facility shall have at least one accessible room with a roll-in shower meeting the Standards.
26. By or before February 15, 2007, after the United States has evaluated the 15 survey reports conducted by Motel 6 and has also had the opportunity to conduct its own independent evaluation of a number of Motel 6 facilities, the United States will determine whether Motel 6 is in “substantial compliance” with the terms of this Agreement. In the event that Motel 6 is not in substantial compliance with the Agreement, it will pay civil penalties to the United States in a single payment of $110,000.00 dollars. For purposes of this Agreement “substantial compliance” is defined 90% of the facilities surveyed (by Motel 6 and the United States) meeting all the requirements of this Agreement. In other words, if more than one in ten facilities surveyed is found to lack the access features required by the terms of this Agreement, Motel 6 will be deemed not in substantial compliance and will be required to pay the above civil penalty.
27. If the United States believes that Motel 6 is not in compliance with this Agreement or any requirements contained herein, the United States agrees to notify Motel 6 in writing of the alleged noncompliance and attempt to seek a resolution of the matter with Motel 6. If the parties are unable to reach a resolution within sixty (60) days of the date of the United States' written notification, the United States may seek enforcement of the terms of the Agreement in any United States District Court where jurisdiction and venue are proper. In the event that a court determines that Motel 6 has failed to comply with any term in this Agreement, such failure to comply shall be treated as a violation of title III of the ADA and the United States may seek, and the court may assess, civil penalties as provided in 42 U.S.C. Â§ 12188(b)(2)(C). Alternatively, should the parties be unable to reach a resolution within sixty (60) days of the date of the United States' written notification, the United States may bring an action to enforce compliance with the ADA and its implementing regulations in any United States District Court where jurisdiction and venue are proper.
For Motel 6 Operating L.P.:
Accor North America, Inc.Managing General Partner
ROGER J. REITH, Vice President