Air Carrier Access Amendments Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4829
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T21:19:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S. 4829)
Purpose
This bill amends existing federal law to strengthen protections against discrimination for air travelers with disabilities. It aims to improve access to air transportation by updating enforcement tools under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Key Provisions
- Findings and Sense of Congress: Notes ongoing barriers for passengers with disabilities, such as damaged mobility devices, inaccessible aircraft, inadequate assistance, and improper handling of service animals. It emphasizes the need for a private right of action to enforce disability rights in air travel.
- Civil Penalties: Requires the Department of Transportation to assess minimum penalties for specific violations, including damage to wheelchairs or scooters, physical harm to passengers, failure to provide boarding assistance, improper denial of boarding or service animal access, and gross negligence.
- Referral to Attorney General: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to refer cases involving patterns or practices of discrimination, or matters of general public importance, to the Department of Justice after assessing penalties.
- Private Right of Action: Allows individuals harmed by violations to file lawsuits in federal district court within two years, seeking compensatory and punitive damages, without first exhausting administrative remedies. Courts must award reasonable attorney and expert fees to prevailing parties.
- Attorney General Enforcement: Empowers the Department of Justice to sue on behalf of affected individuals, seeking equitable relief, damages, and civil penalties.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new civil action provision to Title 49 of the U.S. Code, creating a private right of action where none previously existed under the Air Carrier Access Act.
- Introduces mandatory minimum civil penalties and referral mechanisms for serious or repeated violations.
- Clarifies that the law does not limit stronger rights available under other federal or state laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases enforcement roles for the Department of Transportation and Department of Justice, potentially raising administrative and litigation workloads.
- On Citizens: Provides passengers with disabilities greater ability to seek compensation and accountability for harms during air travel.
- On International Relations: Applies to foreign air carriers operating in the U.S., which may affect compliance requirements for international airlines.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Passengers with disabilities, including veterans.
- U.S. and foreign air carriers.
- The Department of Transportation and Department of Justice.
- Advocacy groups for disability rights.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes a private right of action for enforcement, aligning the Air Carrier Access Act more closely with other civil rights laws.
- Allows for punitive damages and fee-shifting, which could influence litigation volume and outcomes in federal courts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Air Carrier Access Amendments Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (7 pages)