HR-620 : Still Just a Bill

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 Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2018-02-26IntroReferralReceived in the Senate.Senate
2018-02-15FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2018-02-15VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 192 (Roll no. 80). (text: CR H1192)House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 620.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorUNFINISHED 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1198-1200)House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorCommittee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 620 as unfinished business.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorOn motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorMr. Poe (TX) moved that the committee rise.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorPOSTPONED 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorDEBATE - 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1192-1198)House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorCommittee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 620 as unfinished business.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorOn motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorMr. Goodlatte moved that the committee rise.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorGENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 620.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorThe Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorHouse resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 736 and Rule XVIII.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorProvides 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.House floor actions
2018-02-15FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 736. (consideration: CR H1183-1192)House floor actions
2018-02-13FloorRules 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.House floor actions
2018-01-30CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.House floor actions
2018-01-30CommitteeReported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-539.House floor actions
2017-09-07CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 9.House committee actions
2017-09-07CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2017-02-08CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.House committee actions
2017-01-24IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
2017-01-24IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Ted Poe [R] (TX-2)
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
See Subjects
  • Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
  • Building construction
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Disability and health-based discrimination
  • State and local government operations

Related Bills

See Related Bills