Act aids small businesses by preventing drive-by lawsuits.

On Feb. 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 620, “The Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Education and Reform Act.”

This legislation would restore integrity to the ADA and needed fairness for small businesses falling victim to drive-by lawsuits. H.R. 620 would allow businesses, through a notice and cure provision, to identify and correct alleged ADA violations before engaging in an unnecessary, lengthy and costly settlement process while restoring the intended goal of the ADA: compliance and improved access.

The National Restaurant Association issued the following statement: “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,” said Cicely Simpson, executive vice president of public affairs, National Restaurant Association.