The ‘‘Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2017’’ was introduced as S.1318 last month by Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin. The legislation is co-sponsored by a contingent of Democrat senators including Tammy Duckworth, Ed Markey, Maggie Hassan and Richard Blumenthal. The bill includes provisions to protect disabled air travelers from discrimination, and calls for new access regulations and guidelines to be established by the US Access Board. Furthermore it includes the right of private action (and attorney fees) for failures in accessible services, and eliminates the need for a doctor’s statement for emotional support animals in order to travel by air. It also calls for a study on the possible use of securement devices for wheelchair-users on aircraft, and increases the liability limit for wheelchair damage. This bill is in its very early stages, and at this time it’s unknown if it will ever make it to the floor for a vote. A copy of the bill can be found at www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1318/BILLS-115s1318is.pdf.

Editor’s Note: This bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Sciende and Transportation on June 8, 2017. No further action was taken on the bill.