H.R. 620 - 115th Congress (2017-2018) - 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.

Text (4)

February 26, 2018

February 15, 2018

January 30, 2018

January 24, 2017

Amendments (6)

Feb 15, 2018

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 524

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part A of House Report 115-559 to strike the requirement that the written notices of alleged violation include the specific sections of the ADA alleged to have been violated.

Agreed To

Feb 15, 2018

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 523

An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part A of House Report 115-559 to shorten the timeline from 180 to 120 total days.

Agreed To

Feb 15, 2018

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 522

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 115-559 to clarify that the defendant is still liable if the defendant fails to make substantial progress to remove the barrier.

Agreed To

Feb 15, 2018

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 521

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 115-559 to allow for punitive damages for noncompliance after the cure period.

Active

Feb 15, 2018

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 520

Amendment sought to remove the requirement that a person who claims discrimination must first provide written notice that allows 60 days for an owner to acknowledge receipt of the complaint and 120 days to demonstrate substantial progress in removing the barrier before legal action may be pursued.

Active

Feb 15, 2018

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 519

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 115-559 to ensure the Department of Justice's Disability Rights Section takes action, to the extent practicable, to make ADA compliance publications available in languages commonly used by owners and operators of U.S. businesses.

Agreed To

Actions (35)

Show Only Major Actions

02/26/2018

Received in the Senate.

02/15/2018

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

02/15/2018

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 192 (Roll no. 80). (text: CR H1192)

02/15/2018

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 192 (Roll no. 80).(text: CR H1192)

02/15/2018

The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

02/15/2018

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

02/15/2018

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 620.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

02/15/2018

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1198-1200)

02/15/2018

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 620 as unfinished business.

02/15/2018

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

02/15/2018

Mr. Poe (TX) moved that the committee rise.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1192-1198)

02/15/2018

Mr. Goodlatte moved that the committee rise.

02/15/2018

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 620.

02/15/2018

The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.

02/15/2018

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 736 and Rule XVIII.

02/15/2018

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.

02/15/2018

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 736. (consideration: CR H1183-1192)

02/13/2018

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.

01/30/2018

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.

01/30/2018

Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-539.

09/07/2017

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 9.

09/07/2017

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

02/08/2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

01/24/2017

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

01/24/2017

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Jan 11, 2023 1:34:19 PM