ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017

Bill 115 hr 620, also known as the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017, is a piece of legislation that aims to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to address issues related to the enforcement of ADA requirements for public accommodations.

The bill proposes to require individuals with disabilities to provide written notice to business owners who are not in compliance with ADA requirements before filing a lawsuit. This notice would need to specify the barriers to access that the individual encountered and give the business owner an opportunity to make the necessary changes to come into compliance with the ADA within a specified time frame.

Supporters of the bill argue that it would help prevent "drive-by" lawsuits, where individuals or lawyers file lawsuits against businesses without giving them a chance to fix any ADA violations. They believe that this would encourage businesses to proactively address accessibility issues and comply with the ADA. Opponents of the bill, however, argue that it would place an unfair burden on individuals with disabilities, who may already face barriers to access in public accommodations. They argue that the ADA was intended to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and that requiring written notice before filing a lawsuit could delay or prevent individuals from seeking justice for ADA violations. Overall, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 has sparked debate among lawmakers, disability rights advocates, and business owners about the best way to ensure compliance with ADA requirements while also protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities.