Legislative Updates

From Jean Jones
DVR/DVS Legislative Information Representative

2009 ~ 2008 ~ 2007

June 26, 2008

ADA Amendments Pass in House

Yesterday, June 25th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3195, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008 - also known as the ADA Restoration Act. The bipartisan vote was 402-17. All Oklahoma Representatives voted for the bill.

For several years advocates have worked to gain passage of legislation to correct a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have acted to narrow the coverage and anti-discrimination protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Restoration bill introduced this year was stalled also, until disability and business communities put forth compromise language that all could support. The newly crafted bill restores ADA coverage for people whose disabilities are mitigated by use of medicine, assistive devices, prosthetics and similar means. It also provides clarity for the definition of conditions that qualify as a disability under the ADA, something the business world was especially concerned about.

Action now shifts to the Senate, where it is expected that S. 1881, the Senate's ADA Restoration bill, will be modified to match the House version. Supporters will be making an effort to get Senate passage before July 26th, the anniversary of the 1990 signing of the ADA.

The White House has said that although President Bush “supports the overall intent” of the House bill, he is concerned that it “could unduly expand” ADA coverage and significantly increase litigation. However, the President has not indicated whether he would sign the bill or not.