H.R. 9373United StatesWaiting for committee action

Creates private lawsuits and penalties for disability discrimination by airlines

Gives people with disabilities new legal tools and increases penalties for airlines, which could change how airlines handle accessibility and care.

What it does

Creates specific civil penalties under section 46301 for listed violations involving passengers with disabilities (for example, damage to wheelchairs, physical harm, denial of boarding, failure to provide aisle-chair assistance, and gross negligence).

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to refer matters to the Attorney General when there is reasonable cause to believe in a pattern or practice of discrimination, after assessing civil penalties.

Establishes a federal private right of action allowing individuals aggrieved by violations to sue carriers in federal court within two years and seek compensatory and punitive damages.

Gives the Attorney General authority to sue on behalf of aggrieved individuals and allows courts to grant equitable relief, damages, and assess civil penalties.

Specifies that courts must award reasonable attorney’s fees, expert fees, and court costs to the prevailing party, and plaintiffs are not required to exhaust administrative remedies first.

Argument forCreates stronger enforcement by adding monetary penalties for specific harms and enabling private lawsuits, which may deter airlines from mistreating passengers with disabilities.

Argument againstExpanding private lawsuits, punitive damages, and attorney fee awards could increase litigation costs for airlines, which opponents may say could be passed to consumers in higher fares.

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Creates private lawsuits and penalties for disability discrimination by airlines

Gives people with disabilities new legal tools and increases penalties for airlines, which could change how airlines handle accessibility and care.

What it does

Establishes a federal private right of action allowing individuals aggrieved by violations to sue carriers in federal court within two years and seek compensatory and punitive damages.

Gives the Attorney General authority to sue on behalf of aggrieved individuals and allows courts to grant equitable relief, damages, and assess civil penalties.

Specifies that courts must award reasonable attorney’s fees, expert fees, and court costs to the prevailing party, and plaintiffs are not required to exhaust administrative remedies first.

Argument forCreates stronger enforcement by adding monetary penalties for specific harms and enabling private lawsuits, which may deter airlines from mistreating passengers with disabilities.

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

Creates private lawsuits and penalties for disability discrimination by airlines

What it does

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

Creates private lawsuits and penalties for disability discrimination by airlines

What it does

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History