An Act To Require Institutions of Higher Learning To Comply with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0823
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: SANDERSON, MASON, DOAK, HARVELL, POULIOT, WEAVER
Amends: 5 MRSA §4594-H

Legislative Document 
No. 823 
H.P. 574 
House of Representatives, March 5, 2013 
An Act To Require Institutions of Higher Learning To Comply with 
the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative SANDERSON of Chelsea.  (BY REQUEST) 
Cosponsored by Senator MASON of Androscoggin and 
Representatives: DOAK of Columbia Falls, HARVELL of Farmington, POULIOT of Augusta, 
WEAVER of York. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §4594-H is enacted to read: 
§4594-H.  Automatic door openers; institutions of higher learning 
1.  Facilities.  This section applies to any facility owned or operated for educational 
purposes by a duly authorized institution of higher learning, as defined in Title 20-A, 
section 10801, that receives any federal or state educational funding, as defined by the 
commission by rule. 
2.  Application.  Except as provided in this section, every door allowing access to a 
room or area of the facility to which a student of the duly authorized institution of higher 
learning or a member of the general public is permitted access must have a working 
automatic door opener operated by a wall-mounted electronic push-button device that 
meets standards adopted by the commission by rule.  The requirements of this section do 
not apply to a classroom if the duly authorized institution of higher learning has a written 
policy that ensures the door is closed only when a class is in session or when the 
classroom is not open to students or the public. 
3.   Rules.  The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section and 
ensure facilities governed by this section are accessible to, functional for and safe for use 
by persons with physical disability in accordance with subsection 2.  The rules must 
specify a reasonable schedule for facilities in existence on the effective date of this 
section to come into compliance with this section.  Rules adopted under this section are 
routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
4.  Certification.  In accordance with rules adopted by the commission, a duly 
authorized institution of higher learning subject to this section shall provide certification 
of compliance with this section to the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State 
Fire Marshal and to the municipality where the facility is being constructed or exists. 
5.  Training, education and assistance.  The commission and the Department of 
Public Safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal shall, as necessary, develop information 
packets, lectures, seminars and educational forums for the purpose of increasing the 
awareness and knowledge of the provisions of this section. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires all institutions of higher learning that receive state or federal funds 
to install on every door allowing access to a room in or area of its educational facilities to 
which a student or a member of the general public is permitted access a working 
automatic door opener operated by a wall-mounted electronic push-button device that 
meets standards adopted by the Maine Human Rights Commission.