December 2022 was a very quiet month for legislators throughout the United States as most were in recess until 2023. As we enter the new year, hopes for legislative actions regarding physical access for persons with disabilities must compete with other priorities such as online access for people with disabilities. For example, a bill advanced in the US Senate (SB 4998) in November that would establish standards for website accessibility.
| > STATE BILLS | > FEDERAL BILLS | |
| New Jersey S1086 Requires managed care plans to provide for reasonable accommodation in accessing providers with physically accessible offices for persons with physical disabilities. STATUS: No Action https://legiscan.com/NJ/bill/S1086/2022 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
Concurrent Resolution USSCR29 – Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Recognizes the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly people with disabilities. STATUS: No Action https://legiscan.com/gaits/search?state=US&bill=CR29 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| Illinois SB3446 - Senate Assignments Committee Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Creates an ADA Compliance Commission to review any plan or design submitted for accommodations to meet ADA-compliant access in housing, public venues, parks, transit, or any other locations. Will establish best practices guidelines for compliance with the ADA. STATUS: No Action https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB3446/2021 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
Concurrent Resolution HCR73 – House Subcommittee on Economic Development Language is identical to the Senate Resolution. STATUS: Sent to House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management https://legiscan.com/gaits/search?state=US&bill=CR29 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| Massachusetts H4758 Removing barriers to work that discriminate against persons with disabilities, mobility impairments and seniors. STATUS: Referred to House Ways and Means https://trackbill.com/bill/massachusetts-house-bill-4758-an-act-relative-to-expanding-the-availability-of-adaptable-housing-for-consumers-with-disabilities-mobility-impairments-and-seniors/2258925/ CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
HB 2941—Accessible Voting Act While this bill recognizes that only 40% of polling places in 2016 were architecturally accessible, a significant portion of the bill focuses on compelling states to offer accessible websites. In Part 7, Payments to States for Implementation of Accessibility Requirements, Federal monies may be dispensed at the discretion of the Director of the Office of Accessibility (created in this Act). Provision of funds for physical access alterations would be eligible to states and local governments that apply and are approved by the Director. STATUS: Sent to House Committee on House Administration https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2941 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| New York AB9472 – Assembly Aging Committee Establishes the senior housing accessibility study group to examine and make recommendations for amending the New York State uniform fire prevention code to improve and enhance accessibility requirements for all newly constructed or substantially reconstructed senior housing developments. STATUS: No Action https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/A09472/2021 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
SB 2481 (HB 4714 Companion Bill) Increases the tax credit for expenditures to provide access to disabled individuals from $10,250 to $20,500. Increases the gross receipts limitation from $1 million to $2.5 million.Increases the tax credit for expenditures to provide access to disabled individuals from $10,250 to $20,500. Increases the gross receipts limitation from $1 million to $2.5 million. STATUS: Sent to Senate Finance Committee https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2481 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| Rhode Island H7989 Establishes the senior housing accessibility study group to examine and make recommendations for amending the New York State uniform fire prevention code to improve and enhance accessibility requirements for all newly constructed or substantially reconstructed senior housing developments. STATUS: Referred for further study | HB 77 – ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services Act (ACCESS ACT) Would require the development of educational programs targeted to state and local governments and property owners as to effective and efficient strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with disabilities. STATUS: Sent to House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/77 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| HB 3317 – All Station Accessibility Program Act Proposes to provide competitive grants to assist state and local government authorities in addressing accessibility needs of legacy rail stations. Federal grants will amount to 90% of the total net cost for modifications to station facilities. STATUS: No Action https://legiscan.com/US/bill/HB3317/2021 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |
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| HB4756 Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) to develop guidelines for exercise or equipment services providers regarding the provision of accessible exercise or fitness equipment. STATUS: Referred to the House Education and Labor Committee https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4756/all-info CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR |