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SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 42 USC 12181.
As used in this title:
(1) Commerce. The term
commerce means travel, trade, traffic, commerce, transportation,
or communication
(A) among the several States;
(B) between any foreign country or any territory or possession
and any State; or
(C) between points in the same State but through another
State or
foreign country.
(2) Commercial facilities. The term
commercial facilities means facilities
(A) that are intended for nonresidential use; and
(B) whose operations will affect commerce. Such term shall
not include railroad locomotives, railroad freight cars, railroad
cabooses, railroad cars described in section 242 or covered
under this title, railroad rights- of- way, or facilities
that are covered or expressly exempted from coverage under
the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.).
(3) Demand responsive system. The term
demand responsive system means any system of providing transportation
of individuals by a vehicle, other than a system which is
a fixed route system.
(4) Fixed route system. The term
fixed route system means a system of providing transportation
of individuals (other than by aircraft) on which a vehicle
is operated along a prescribed route according to a fixed
schedule.
(5) Over- the- road bus. The term
over- the- road bus means a bus characterized by an elevated
passenger deck located over a baggage compartment.
(6) Private entity. The term
private entity means any entity other than a public entity
(as defined in section 201(1)).
(7) Public accommodation. The following private entities
are considered public accommodations for purposes of this
title, if the operations of such entities affect commerce
(A) an inn, hotel, motel, or other place of lodging, except
for an establishment located within a building that contains
not more than five rooms for rent or hire and that is actually
occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as the residence
of such proprietor;
(B) a restaurant, bar, or other establishment serving food
or drink;
(C) a motion picture house, theater, concert hall, stadium,
or other place of exhibition or entertainment;
(D) an auditorium, convention center, lecture hall, or other
place of public gathering;
(E) a bakery, grocery store, clothing store, hardware store,
shopping center, r other sales or rental establishment;
(F) a laundromat, dry- cleaner, bank, barber shop, beauty
shop, travel service, shoe repair service, funeral parlor,
gas station, office of an accountant or lawyer, pharmacy,
insurance office, professional office of a health care provider,
hospital, or other service establishment;
(G) a terminal, depot, or other station used for specified
public transportation;
(H) a museum, library, gallery, or other place of public
display or collection;
(I) a park, zoo, amusement park, or other place of recreation;
(J) a nursery, elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate
private school, or other place of education;
(K) a day care center, senior citizen center, homeless shelter,
food bank, adoption agency, or other social service center
establishment; and
(L) a gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley, golf course,
or other place of exercise or recreation.
(8) Rail and railroad. The terms
rail and
railroad have the meaning given the term
railroad in section 202(e) of the Federal Railroad Safety
Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 431(e)).
(9) Readily achievable. The term
readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to
be carried out without much difficulty or expense. In determining
whether an action is readily achievable, factors to be considered
include
(A) the nature and cost of the action needed under this Act;
(B) the overall financial resources of the facility or facilities
involved in the action; the number of persons employed at
such facility; the effect on expenses and resources, or the
impact otherwise of such action upon the operation of the
facility;
(C) the overall financial resources of the covered entity;
the overall size of the business of a covered entity with
respect to the number of its employees; the number, type,
and location of its facilities; and
(D) the type of operation or operations of the covered entity,
including the composition, structure, and functions of the
workforce of such entity; the geographic separateness, administrative
or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities in question
to the covered entity.
(10) Specified public transportation. The term
specified public transportation means transportation by bus,
rail, or any other conveyance (other than by aircraft) that
provides the general public with general or special service
(including charter service) on a regular and continuing basis.
(11) Vehicle. The term
vehicle does not include a rail passenger car, railroad locomotive,
railroad freight car, railroad caboose, or a railroad car
described in section 242 or covered under this title.
SEC. 302. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.
42 USC 12182.
(a) General Rule. No individual shall be discriminated against
on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment
of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages,
or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by
any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a
place of public accommodation.
(b) Construction.
(1) General prohibition.
(A) Activities.
(i) Denial of participation. It shall be discriminatory to
subject an individual or class of individuals on the basis
of a disability or disabilities of such individual or class,
directly, or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements,
to a denial of the opportunity of the individual or class
to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities,
privileges, advantages, or accommodations of an entity.
(ii) Participation in unequal benefit. It shall be discriminatory
to afford an individual or class of individuals, on the basis
of a disability or disabilities of such individal or class,
directly, or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements
with the opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good,
service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation
that is not equal to that afforded to other individuals.
(iii) Separate benefit. It shall be discriminatory to provide
an individual or class of individuals, on the basis of a disability
or disabilities of such individual or class, directly, or
through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with
a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation
that is different or separate from that provided to other
individuals, unless such action is necessary to provide the
individual or class of individuals with a good, service, facility,
privilege, advantage, or accommodation, or other opportunity
that is as effective as that provided to others.
(iv) Individual or class of individuals. For purposes of
clauses (i) through (iii) of this subparagraph, the term
individual or class of individuals refers to the clients
or customers of the covered public accommodation that enters
into the contractual, licensing or other arrangement.
(B) Integrated settings. Goods, services, facilities, privileges,
advantages, and accommodations shall be afforded to an individual
with a disability in the most integrated setting appropriate
to the needs of the individual.
(C) Opportunity to participate. Notwithstanding the existence
of separate or different programs or activities provided in
accordance with this section, an individual with a disability
shall not be denied the opportunity to participate in such
programs or activities that are not separate or different.
(D) Administrative methods. An individual or entity shall
not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements,
utilize standards or criteria or methods of administration
(i) that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of
disability;
or
(ii) that perpetuate the discrimination of others who are
subject to common administrative control.
(E) Association. It shall be discriminatory to exclude or
otherwise deny equal goods, services, facilities, privileges,
advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities to an individual
or entity because of the known disability of an individual
with whom the individual or entity is known to have a relationship
or association.
(2) Specific prohibitions.
(A) Discrimination. For purposes of subsection (a), discrimination
includes
(i) the imposition or application of eligibility criteria
that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a
disability or any class of individuals with disabilities from
fully and equally enjoying any goods, services, facilities,
privileges, advantages, or accommodations, unless such criteria
can be shown to be necessary for the provision of the goods,
services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations
being offered;
(ii) a failure to make reasonable modifications in policies,
practices, or procedures, when such modifications are necessary
to afford such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages,
or accommodations to individuals with disabilities, unless
the entity can demonstrate that making such modifications
would fundamentally alter the nature of such goods, services,
facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations;
(iii) a failure to take such steps as may be necessary to
ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied
services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than
other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids
and services, unless the entity can demonstrate that taking
such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the good,
service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation
being offered or would result in an undue burden;
(iv) a failure to remove architectural barriers, and communication
barriers that arestructural in nature, in existing facilities,
and transportation barriers in existing vehicles and rail
passenger cars used by an establishment for transporting individuals
(not including barriers that can only be removed through the
retrofitting of vehicles or rail passenger cars by the installation
of a hydraulic or other lift), where such removal is readily
achievable; and
(v) where an entity can demonstrate that the removal of a
barrier under clause (iv) is not readily achievable, a failure
to make such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages,
or accommodations available through alternative methods if
such methods are readily achievable.
(B) Fixed route system.
(i) Accessibility. It shall be considered discrimination
for a private entity which operates a fixed route system and
which is not subject to section 304 to purchase or lease a
vehicle with a seating capacity in excess of 16 passengers
(including the driver) for use on such system, for which a
solicitation is made after the 30th day following the effective
date of this subparagraph, that is not readily accessible
to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including
individuals who use wheelchairs.
(ii) Equivalent service. If a private entity which operates
a fixed route system and which is not subject to section 304
purchases or leases a vehicle with a seating capacity of 16
passengers or less (including the driver) for use on such
system after the effective date of this subparagraph that
is not readily accessible to or usable by individuals with
disabilities, it shall be considered discrimination for such
entity to fail to operate such system so that, when viewed
in its entirety, such system ensures a level of service to
individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use
wheelchairs, equivalent to the level of service provided to
individuals without disabilities.
(C) Demand responsive system. For purposes of subsection
(a), discrimination includes
(i) a failure of a private entity which operates a demand
responsive system and which is not subject to section 304
to operate such system so that, when viewed in its entirety,
such system ensures a level of service to individuals with
disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, equivalent
to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities;
and
(ii) the purchase or lease by such entity for use on such
system of a vehicle with a seating capacity in excess of 16
passengers (including the driver), for which solicitations
are made after the 30th day following the effective date of
this subparagraph, that is not readily accessible to and usable
by individuals with disabilities (including individuals who
use wheelchairs) unless such entity can demonstrate that such
system, when viewed in its entirety, provides a level of service
to individuals with disabilities equivalent to that provided
to individuals without disabilities.
(D) Over- the- road buses.
(i) Limitation on applicability. Subparagraphs (B) and (C)
do not apply to over- the- road buses.
(ii) Accessibility requirements. For purposes of subsection
(a), discrimination includes (I) the purchase or lease of
an over- the- road bus which does not comply with the regulations
issued under section 306(a)(2) by a private entity which provides
transportation of individuals and which is not primarily engaged
in the business of transporting people, and (II) any other
failure of such entity to comply with such regulations.
(3) Specific Construction. Nothing in this title shall require
an entity to permit an individual to participate in or benefit
from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages
and accommodations of such entity where such individual poses
a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
The term
direct threat means a significant risk to the health or safety
of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies,
practices, or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary
aids or servics.
SEC. 303. NEW CONSTRUCTION AND ALTERATIONS IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. 42 USC 12183.
(a) Application of Term. Except as provided in subsection
(b), as applied to public accommodations and commercial facilities,
discrimination for purposes of section 302(a) includes
(1) a failure to design and construct facilities for first
occupancy later than 30 months after the date of enactment
of this Act that are readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with disabilities, except where an entity can demonstrate
that it is structurally impracticable to meet the requirements
of such subsection in accordance with standards set forth
or incorporated by reference in regulations issued under this
title; and
(2) with respect to a facility or part thereof that is altered
by, on behalf of, or for the use of an establishment in a
manner that affects or could affect the usability of the facility
or part thereof, a failure to make alterations in such a manner
that, to the maximum extent feasible, the altered portions
of the facility are readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.
Where the entity is undertaking an alteration that affects
or could affect usability of or access to an area of the facility
containing a primary function, the entity shall also make
the alterations in such a manner that, to the maximum extent
feasible, the path of travel to the altered area and the bathrooms,
telephones, and drinking fountains serving the altered area,
are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities
where such alterations to the path of travel or the bathrooms,
telephones, and drinking fountains serving the altered area
are not disproportionate to the overall alterations in terms
of cost and scope (as determined under criteria established
by the Attorney General).
(b) Elevator. Subsection (a) shall not be construed to require
the installation of an elevator for facilities that are less
than three stories or have less than 3,000 square feet per
story unless the building is a shopping center, a shopping
mall, or the professional office of a health care provider
or unless the Attorney General determines that a particular
category of such facilities requires the installation of elevators
based on the usage of such facilities.
SEC. 304. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION IN SPECIFIED PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY PRIVATE ENTITIES. 42
USC 12184.
(a) General Rule. No individual shall be discriminated against
on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment
of specified public transportation services provided by a
private entity that is primarily engaged in the business of
transporting people and whose operations affect commerce.
(b) Construction. For purposes of subsection (a), discrimination
includes
(1) the imposition or application by a entity described in
subsection (a) of eligibility criteria that scree
n out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability
or any class of individuals with disabilities from fully enjoying
the specified public transportation services provided by the
entity, unless such criteria can be shown to be necessary
for the provision of the services being offered;
(2) the failure of such entity to
(A) make reasonable modifications consistent with those required
under section 302(b)(2)(A)(ii);
(B) provide auxiliary aids and services consistent with the
requirements of section 302(b)(2)(A)(iii); and
(C) remove barriers consistent with the requirements of section
302(b)(2)(A) and with the requirements of section 303(a)(2);
(3) the purchase or lease by such entity of a new vehicle
(other than an automobile, a van with a seating capacity of
less than 8 passengers, including the driver, or an over-
the- road bus) wich is to be used to provide specified public
transportation and for which a solicitation is made after
the 30th day following the effective date of this section,
that is not readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs;
except that the new vehicle need not be readily accessible
to and usable by such individuals if the new vehicle is to
be used solely in a demand responsive system and if the entity
can demonstrate that such system, when viewed in its entirety,
provides a level of service to such individuals equivalent
to the level of service provided to the general public;
(4)(A) the purchase or lease by such entity of an over- the-
road bus which does not comply with the regulations issued
under section 306(a)(2); and
(B) any other failure of such entity to comply with such
regulations; and
(5) the purchase or lease by such entity of a new van with
a seating capacity of less than 8 passengers, including the
driver, which is to be used to provide specified public transportation
and for which a solicitation is made after the 30th day following
the effective date of this section that is not readily accessible
to or usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals
who use wheelchairs; except that the new van need not be readily
accessible to and usable by such individuals if the entity
can demonstrate that the system for which the van is being
purchased or leased, when viewed in its entirety, provides
a level of service to such individuals equivalent to the level
of service provided to the general public;
(6) the purchase or lease by such entity of a new rail passenger
car that is to be used to provide specified public transportation,
and for which a solicitation is made later than 30 days after
the effective date of this paragraph, that is not readily
accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities,
including individuals who use wheelchairs; and
(7) the remanufacture by such entity of a rail passenger
car that is to be used to provide specified public transportation
so as to extend its usable life for 10 years or more, or the
purchase or lease by such entity of such a rail car, unless
the rail car, to the maximum extent feasible, is made readily
accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities,
including individuals who use wheelchairs.
(c) Historical or Antiquated Cars.
(1) Exception. To the extent that compliance with subsection
(b)(2)(C) or (b)(7) would significantly alter the historic
or antiquated character of a historical or antiquated rail
passenger car, or a rail station served exclusively by such
cars, or would result in violation of any rule, regulation,
standard, or order issued by the Secretary of Transportation
under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, such compliance
shall not be required.
(2) Definition. As used in this subsection, the term
historical or antiquated rail passenger car means a rail
passenger car
(A) which is not less than 30 years old at the time of its
use for transporting individuals;
(B) the manufacturer of which is no longer in the business
of manufacturing rail passenger cars; and
(C) which (i) has a consequential association with events
or persons significant to the past; or
(ii) embodies, or is being restored to embody, the distinctive
characteristics of a type of rail passenger car used in the
past, or to represent a time period which has passed.
SEC. 305. STUDY. 42 USC 12185.
a) Purposes. The Office of Technology Assessment shall undertake
a study to determine
(1) the access needs of individuals with disabilities to
over- the- road buses and over- the- road bus service; and
(2) the most cost- effective methods for providing access
to over- the- road buses and over- the- road bus service to
individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals who
use wheelchairs, through all forms of boarding options.
(b) Contents. The studyshall include, at a minimum, an analysis
of the following:
(1) The anticipated demand by individuals with disabilities
for accessible over- the- road buses and over- the- road bus
service.
(2) The degree to which such buses and service, including
any service required under sections 304(b)(4) and 306(a)(2),
are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
(3) The effectiveness of various methods of providing accessibility
to such buses and service to individuals with disabilities.
(4) The cost of providing accessible over- the- road buses
and bus service to individuals with disabilities, including
consideration of recent technological and cost saving developments
in equipment and devices.
(5) Possible design changes in over- the- road buses that
could enhance accessibility, including the installation of
accessible restrooms which do not result in a loss of seating
capacity.
(6) The impact of accessibility requirements on the continuation
of over- the- road bus service, with particular consideration
of the impact of such requirements on such service to rural
communities.
(c) Advisory Committee. In conducting the study required
by subsection (a), the Office of Technology Assessment shall
establish an advisory committee, which shall consist of
(1) members selected from among private operators and manufacturers
of over- the- road buses;
(2) members selected from among individuals with disabilities,
particularly individuals who use wheelchairs, who are potential
riders of such buses; and
(3) members selected for their technical expertise on issues
included in the study, including manufacturers of boarding
assistance equipment and devices.
The number of members selected under each of paragraphs (1)
and (2) shall be equal, and the total number of members selected
under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall exceed the number of members
selected under paragraph (3).
(d) Deadline. The study required by subsection (a), along
with recommendations by the Office of Technology Assessment,
including any policy options for legislative action, shall
be submitted to the President and Congress within 36 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act. If the President
determines that compliance with the regulations issued pursuant
to section 306(a)(2)(B) on or before the applicable deadlines
specified in section 306(a)(2)(B) will result in a significant
reduction in intercity over- the- road bus service, the President
shall extend each such deadline by 1 year.
(e) Review. In developing the study required by subsection
(a), the Office of Technology Assessment shall provide a preliminary
draft of such study to the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board established under section 502 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 792). The Board
shall have an opportunity to comment on such draft study,
and any such comments by the Board made in writing within
120 days after the Boards receipt of the draft study shall
be incorporated as part of the final study required to be
submitted under subsection (d).
SEC. 306. REGULATIONS. 42 USC 12186.
(a) Transportation Provisions.
(1) General rule. Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation
shall issue regulations in an accessible format to carry out
sections 302(b)(2) (B) and (C) and to carry out section 304
(other than subsection (b)(4)).
(2) Special rules for providing access to over- the- road
buses.
(A) Interim requirements.
(i) Issuance. Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
issue regulations in an accessible format to carry out sections
304(b)(4) and 302(b)(2)(D)(ii) that require each private entity
which uses an over- the- road bus to provide transportation
of individuals to provide accessibility to such bus; except
that such regulations shall not require any structural changes
in over- the- road buses in order to provide access to individuals
who use weelchairs during the effective period of such regulations
and shall not require the purchase of boarding assistance
devices to provide access to such individuals.
(ii) Effective period. The regulations issued pursuant to
this subparagraph shall be effective until the effective date
of the regulations issued under subparagraph (B).
(B) Final requirement.
(i) Review of study and interim requirements. The Secretary
shall review the study submitted under section 305 and the
regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(ii) Issuance. Not later than 1 year after the date of the
submission of the study under section 305, the Secretary shall
issue in an accessible format new regulations to carry out
sections 304(b)(4) and 302(b)(2)(D)(ii) that require, taking
into account the purposes of the study under section 305 and
any recommendations resulting from such study, each private
entity which uses an over- the- road bus to provide transportation
to individuals to provide accessibility to such bus to individuals
with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.
(iii) Effective period. Subject to section 305(d), the regulations
issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall take effect
(I) with respect to small providers of transportation (as
defined by the Secretary), 7 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act; and
(II) with respect to other providers of transportation, 6
years after such date of enactment.
(C) Limitation on requiring installation of accessible restrooms.
The regulations issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not
require the installation of accessible restrooms in over-
the- road buses if such installation would result in a loss
of seating capacity.
(3) Standards. The regulations issued pursuant to this subsection
shall include standards applicable to facilities and vehicles
covered by sections 302(b)(2) and 304.
(b) Other Provisions. Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall issue
regulations in an accessible format to carry out the provisions
of this title not referred to in subsection (a) that include
standards applicable to facilities and vehicles covered under
section 302.
(c) Consistency With ATBCB Guidelines. Standards included
in regulations issued under subsections (a) and (b) shall
be consistent with the minimum guidelines and requirements
issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board in accordance with section 504 of this Act.
(d) Interim Accessibility Standards.
(1) Facilities. If final regulations have not been issued
pursuant to this section, for new construction or alterations
for which a valid and appropriate State or local building
permit is obtained prior to the issuance of final regulations
under this section, and for which the construction or alteration
authorized by such permit begins within one year of the receipt
of such permit and is completed under the terms of such permit,
compliance with the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards
in effect at the time the building permit is issued shall
suffice to satisfy the requirement that facilities be readily
accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities as required
under section 303, except that, if such final regulations
have not been issued one year after the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board has issued the supplemental
minimum guidelines required under section 504(a) of this Act,
compliance with such supplemental minimum guidelines shall
be necessary to satisfy the requirement that facilities be
readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities
prior to issuance of the final regulations.
(2) Vehicles and rail passenger cars. If final regulations
have not been issued pursuant to this section, a private entity
shall be considered to have complied with the requirements
of this title, if any, that a vehicle or rail passenger car
be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities,
if the design for such ehicle or car complies with the laws
and regulations (including the Minimum Guidelines and Requirements
for Accessible Design and such supplemental minimum guidelines
as are issued under section 504(a) of this Act) governing
accessibility of such vehicles or cars, to the extent that
such laws and regulations are not inconsistent with this title
and are in effect at the time such design is substantially
completed.
SEC. 307. EXEMPTIONS FOR PRIVATE CLUBS AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
42 USC 12187.
The provisions of this title shall not apply to private clubs
or establishments exempted from coverage under title II of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000- a(e)) or to
religious organizations or entities controlled by religious
organizations, including places of worship.
SEC. 308. ENFORCEMENT. 42 USC 12188.
(a) In General.
(1) Availability of remedies and procedures. The remedies
and procedures set forth in section 204(a) of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a- 3(a)) are the remedies and procedures
this title provides to any person who is being subjected to
discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of
this title or who has reasonable grounds for believing that
such person is about to be subjected to discrimination in
violation of section 303. Nothing in this section shall require
a person with a disability to engage in a futile gesture if
such person has actual notice that a person or organization
covered by this title does not intend to comply with its provisions.
(2) Injunctive relief. In the case of violations of sections
302(b)(2)(A)(iv) and section 303(a), injunctive relief shall
include an order to alter facilities to make such facilities
readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities
to the extent required by this title. Where appropriate, injunctive
relief shall also include requiring the provision of an auxiliary
aid or service, modification of a policy, or provision of
alternative methods, to the extent required by this title.
(b) Enforcement by the Attorney General.
(1) Denial of rights.
(A) Duty to investigate.
(i) In general. The Attorney General shall investigate alleged
violations of this title, and shall undertake periodic reviews
of compliance of covered entities under this title.
(ii) Attorney General Certification. On the application of
a State or local government, the Attorney General may, in
consultation with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, and after prior notice and a public hearing
at which persons, including individuals with disabilities,
are provided an opportunity to testify against such certification,
certify that a State law or local building code or similar
ordinance that establishes accessibility requirements meets
or exceeds the minimum requirements of this Act for the accessibility
and usability of covered facilities under this title. At any
enforcement proceeding under this section, such certification
by the Attorney General shall be rebuttable evidence that
such State law or local ordinance does meet or exceed the
minimum requirements of this Act.
(B) Potential violation. If the Attorney General has reasonable
cause to believe that
(i) any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern
or practice of discrimination under this title; or
(ii) any person or group of persons has been discriminated
against under this title and such discrimination raises an
issue of general public importance,
the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate
United States district court.
(2) Authority of court. In a civil action under paragraph
(1)(B), the court
(A) may grant any equitable relief that such court considers
to be appropriate, including, to the extent required by this
title
(i) granting temporar, preliminary, or permanent relief;
(ii) providing an auxiliary aid or service, modification
of policy, practice, or procedure, or alternative method;
and
(iii) making facilities readily accessible to and usable
by individuals with disabilities;
(B) may award such other relief as the court considers to
be appropriate, including monetary damages to persons aggrieved
when requested by the Attorney General; and
(C) may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil
penalty against the entity in an amount
(i) not exceeding $50,000 for a first violation; and
(ii) not exceeding $100,000 for any subsequent violation.
(3) Single violation. For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), in
determining whether a first or subsequent violation has occurred,
a determination in a single action, by judgment or settlement,
that the covered entity has engaged in more than one discriminatory
act shall be counted as a single violation.
(4) Punitive damages. For purposes of subsection (b)(2)(B),
the term
monetary damages and
such other relief does not include punitive damages.
(5) Judicial consideration. In a civil action under paragraph
(1)(B), the court, when considering what amount of civil penalty,
if any, is appropriate, shall give consideration to any good
faith effort or attempt to comply with this Act by the entity.
In evaluating good faith, the court shall consider, among
other factors it deems relevant, whether the entity could
have reasonably anticipated the need for an appropriate type
of auxiliary aid needed to accommodate the unique needs of
a particular individual with a disability.
SEC. 309. EXAMINATIONS AND COURSES. 42 USC 12189.
Any person that offers examinations or courses related to
applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for
secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade
purposes shall offer such examinations or courses in a place
and manner accessible to persons with disabilities or offer
alternative accessible arrangements for such individuals.
SEC. 310. EFFECTIVE DATE. 42 USC 12181 note.
(a) General Rule. Except as provided in subsections (b) and
(c), this title shall become effective 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Civil Actions. Except for any civil action brought for
a violation of section 303, no civil action shall be brought
for any act or omission described in section 302 which occurs
(1) during the first 6 months after the effective date, against
businesses that employ 25 or fewer employees and have gross
receipts of $1,000,000 or less; and
(2) during the first year after the effective date, against
businesses that employ 10 or fewer employees and have gross
receipts of $500,000 or less.
(c) Exception. Sections 302(a) for purposes of section 302(b)(2)
(B) and (C) only, 304(a) for purposes of section 304(b)(3)
only, 304(b)(3), 305, and 306 shall take effect on the date
of the enactment of this Act.
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