The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to amend the ADA by a landslide vote. How close is it to becoming law?
Pretty close, according to some experts. The Senate has just held the first committee hearing on its version of the bill. Its supporters hope it will get a vote shortly after Congress’s August recess.
One possible difference in the Senate’s version of the bill: the definition of “substantially limits.”
Like the House’s version, the Senate bill says a disability must “substantially limit” a major life activity. “Substantially limits” is defined as “materially restricts” — without saying what that phrase itself is supposed to mean.
Some experts who testified at the hearing said “materially restricts” is still vague and should be clarified.
We’ll keep you posted as the bill moves forward and changes are made.
