NEW YORK (August 26, 2019) – RIMS, the risk management society®, is urging members to engage their local Congressperson to support the newly introduced ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services Act – ACCESS Act. The legislation (H.R. 4099) was recently introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42).
The ACCESS Act says that any person aggrieved by a violation of the ADA would have to provide the owner or operator with a written notice of the specific violation and identify the barrier to their access. Businesses would then have 60 days to respond to this notice and 120 days to make improvements before a suit is filed.
“It’s imperative that individuals with disabilities are afforded access to businesses and facilities that adhere to prudent ADA regulations,” said RIMS President Gloria Brosius. “However, the recent rise of frivolous, and sometimes baseless lawsuits have led to legislation such as the ACCESS Act to be necessary to protect both business owners and the disabled.”
According to Congressman Calvert, “The ACCESS Act will protect small business owners and disabled Americans through critical reforms to the ADA that ensure it continues to protect access for the disabled and not abusive lawsuits. The ACCESS Act simply ensures they (small businesses) have time to make necessary improvements before being subjected to costly lawsuits.”
The bill also develops educational programs and training for State and local government and property owners on effective and efficient strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for the disabled.
RIMScast, RIMS podcast series, featured the Society’s External Affairs Committee vice chairman Mark Humphreys. In the podcasts he discusses the ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099 and its impact on businesses. To listen to the interview, visit RIMScast with Mark Humphreys.
Additionally, ADA Compliance and the ACCESS Act will be one of the main issues covered at RIMS Legislative Summit 2019 scheduled for October 16 - 17 in Washington, D.C. The Summit is a strategic vehicle for the Society’s members in the U.S. to get involved in the legislative process and advocate for priorities pertinent to the risk management community. For more information about the Summit and other RIMS advocacy initiatives, visit www.RIMS.org/advocacy.