Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9373
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T21:17:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), codified in section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, to strengthen protections against disability-based discrimination in air transportation. It aims to improve remedies for passengers with disabilities by requiring specific civil penalties, enabling referrals for enforcement, and creating a private right of action for individuals to seek relief directly in court.
Key Provisions
- Civil Penalties: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to assess penalties under section 46301 for minimum violations, including damage to wheelchairs or scooters, physical harm to passengers, failure to provide aisle chair assistance, improper denial of boarding or service animal access, and gross negligence.
- Referral to Attorney General: Requires the Secretary to refer cases involving patterns or practices of discrimination or issues of general public importance to the Department of Justice after assessing penalties.
- Private Right of Action: Allows any aggrieved person to file a civil lawsuit in U.S. district court within two years of a violation for compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorney and expert fees, and court costs. No exhaustion of administrative remedies is required.
- Attorney General Enforcement: Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of aggrieved individuals, seeking equitable relief, damages, and civil penalties.
- Non-Preemption: Clarifies that the law does not override stronger state or federal protections for individuals with disabilities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a private right of action to the ACAA, which previously lacked this enforcement mechanism. It introduces mandatory minimum civil penalties for specific violations and a referral process to the Attorney General, expanding beyond existing administrative remedies. These updates address gaps noted in the findings, such as inadequate handling of assistive devices and service animals.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases enforcement responsibilities for the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration through penalty assessments and referrals, while expanding the Department of Justice's role in civil actions.
- Citizens: Provides passengers with disabilities, including veterans, greater access to compensation and court remedies for issues like damaged equipment or denied assistance.
- International Relations: Applies to foreign air carriers, potentially affecting compliance with U.S. rules and coordination with foreign aviation authorities on service animal and boarding standards.
- Air Carriers: Raises potential liability through penalties, lawsuits, and damages, which may lead to higher operational costs or changes in practices.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Passengers with disabilities and their advocates.
- U.S. and foreign air carriers.
- Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Justice.
- Federal courts handling new civil actions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The addition of a private right of action aligns the ACAA with other civil rights laws by enabling direct individual enforcement without prior administrative steps. This could increase litigation volume in district courts and raise questions about the scope of punitive damages in aviation contexts. The bill preserves existing state laws that offer greater protections and applies equally to domestic and foreign carriers operating in the U.S.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (7 pages)