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H.R. 3195: ADA Amendments Act of 2008

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H.R. 3195: ADA Amendments Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2007-07-26 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · Latest: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 856.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2007-07-26 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 460 (2008): On Passage, HR3195 (2008-06-25), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 856. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

ADA Amendments Act of 2008

Plain summary

ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and (4) the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of specified mitigating measures. Defines the term "auxiliary aids and services." (Sec. 5) Prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. (Current law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability.) Prohibits the use of qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria based on an individual's uncorrected vision unless the standard, test, or other selection criteria, as used by the covered entity, is shown to be related to the position and is consistent with business necessity. (Sec. 6) Declares that nothing in the Act: (1) alters the standards for determining eligibility for benefits under state worker's compensation laws or under state and federal disability benefit programs; (2) alters the requirement to make reasonable modifications in policies or procedures, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations involved; or (3) provides the basis for a claim by a person without a disability that he or she was subject to discrimination because of the lack of disability. Declares that the authority of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations includes the authority to issue regulations implementing the definitions of this Act. (Sec. 7) Makes conforming amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

ADA Amendments Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] · 255 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3195, ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (2008-06-23); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3195, ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (2008-06-23); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3195, ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (2008-06-23); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3195, ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (2008-06-23)

Cosponsors on this site

Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Darrell Issa (R-CA) and 195 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] reported raising $402,851 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hr3195 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110