Nation's Restaurant News: House approves ADA amendment to protect businesses

In an effort to protect businesses from "drive-by lawsuits", the House passed an amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act. A recent Nation's Resturant News article stated that the amendment would require those who might sue businesses over an ADA violation to provide the business a written notice detailing the issue and allow the business 60 days to make a plan and an additional 60 days to execute the plan.

Cicely Simpson, executive vice president of public affairs for the National Restaurant Association, hailed passage of the bill in the House, saying, “Small businesses across the country, including restaurants, are being unfairly targeted by drive-by lawsuits alleging ADA violations for the sole purpose of extracting costly legal settlements and attorney’s fees. This common-sense legislation restores integrity to the ADA by improving access while simultaneously preventing well-meaning business owners from being victimized by abusive lawsuits.”

Disability advocates argue the amendment would remove the need for businesses to comply with the ADA laws.