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119-hr-8396119th CongressWALLET

ACCESS Act of 2026.

Sponsored By: Representative Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

Introduced

Summary

Notice-and-cure framework is the bill's main goal. This bill would require written notice and a 60-day cure period before private lawsuits over architectural or digital barriers, direct the Department of Justice to run an education program using existing funds, promote a Judicial Conference model mediation process, set a uniform 30-day effective date, and require a one-year study on web accessibility tools and standards.

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  • People with disabilities: Would aim to speed practical fixes and clearer remediation by pushing owners and operators to respond with written plans and timelines and by expanding DOJ technical assistance in languages commonly used by U.S. businesses.
  • Property owners and website/app operators: Would get a formal notice with location or URL/Bundle ID details and 60 days to provide a written plan with a deadline and progress standards, plus extra timing for complex barriers.
  • Courts and litigants: Would encourage alternative dispute resolution through a Judicial Conference model that can stay discovery during mediation and use expedited fact-finding to resolve access claims faster.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Justice Department accessibility education program

If enacted, the Department of Justice would set up an education program to help states, local governments, property owners, and website and app developers make places and sites accessible. The program would be developed within 30 days after enactment using existing DOJ funding. It could include training for professionals such as Certified Access Specialists and would publish technical assistance in languages commonly used by U.S. business owners.

Model mediation for access claims

If enacted, the Judicial Conference would develop a model program to promote mediation and other alternative dispute resolution for claims about architectural access barriers. The model would be developed under Rule 16 within 30 days after enactment, encourage stays of discovery during mediation, and include an expedited fact-finding method and steps taken before litigation. The Federal Judicial Center could provide a public comment period where practicable.

New notice-and-cure rule for lawsuits

If enacted, a person would need to give a written notice identifying an architectural or digital barrier (including property address or website URL/Bundle ID) before filing an ADA suit about an existing barrier. After the owner receives notice, the owner would have 60 days to give a written plan with a deadline. If a plan is given, the owner would have 60 more days to remove the barrier or, if more time is needed for reasons beyond the owner's control, to make substantial progress. A suit could be filed only if the owner misses these steps or deadlines. The bill also applies remedies from the Civil Rights Act and does not force futile gestures when an owner clearly will not comply.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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