Public Law 118-205 | Public Law 118–205: To require Amtrak to report to Congress information on Amtrak compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with respect to trains and stations.

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PUBLIC LAW 118–205—DEC. 23, 2024

138 STAT. 2697

Public Law

118–205

118th Congress

An Act

To require Amtrak to report to Congress information on Amtrak compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with respect to trains and stations.

Dec. 23, 2024

[S. 4107]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Think Differently Transportation Act.

SECTION 1.

49 USC 20101 note.

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “

Think Differently Transportation Act

”.

SEC. 2.

REPORT ON AMTRAK ADA COMPLIANCE.

Section 24315(b) of title 49, United States Code,

is amended

—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by

striking

“and” at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by

striking

the period at the end and

inserting

a semicolon; and

(C)

adding

at the end the following:

“(D)

Plan.

shall include an action plan for bringing Amtrak-served stations that are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) into compliance with such Act, as required by the settlement agreement entered into in 2020 between Amtrak and the Department of Justice;

“(E)

Assessments.

Timelines.

shall include a status report on—

“(i)

Amtrak-served stations for which Amtrak is solely responsible for compliance with such Act based on a station assessment carried out by Amtrak, including a timeline for any required compliance with such Act, as required by the settlement agreement;

“(ii)

Amtrak-served stations for which Amtrak has a shared responsibility for compliance with such Act based on a station assessment carried out by Amtrak or by the party responsible for such compliance, including a timeline for any required compliance with such Act for the portions of the station for which Amtrak is the responsible party consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement, identifying who is responsible for compliance (and the status of the compliance of each responsible party with such Act) for such portions and the timeline for compliance in cases in which Amtrak is not the responsible party; and

“(iii)

the status of compliance with such Act for all Amtrak-served stations for which Amtrak is not the responsible party, nor is responsible for a portion of the station, and identify the entity or entities that have responsibility 138 STAT. 2698 for compliance with such Act, based on a station assessment carried out by Amtrak or the party responsible under such Act.”

; and

(2)

adding

at the end the following:

“(3)

Amtrak may meet the requirements described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (1)(E) by demonstrating that Amtrak took reasonable measures to obtain cooperation from responsible entities.

“(4)

Time periods.

Amtrak shall submit the action plan and status report required under subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (1)—

“(A)

annually while the settlement agreement referred to in paragraph (1)(D) is in effect; and

“(B)

every 5 years beginning on the first day the settlement is no longer in effect.”

Approved December 23, 2024.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 4107 (H.R. 6248):

HOUSE REPORTS: ┐No. 118–510 (Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure) accompanying H.R. 6248.

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):

Dec. 3, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 17, considered and passed House.

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