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Bill

Bill

S 4829

Air Carrier Access Amendments Act

119th Congress Introduced by Tammy Baldwin and 5 co-sponsors

Expands disability protections in air travel by clarifying rights, remedies, and enforcement against discrimination by airlines and providers.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4829

Summary of Bill: S.4829 (119th Congress) — A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for certain remedies for air transportation passengers with disabilities who are discriminated against, and for other purposes

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to address and remedy discrimination against air transportation passengers with disabilities. It proposes changes to federal law (title 49, United States Code) to ensure protections and accessible remedies for individuals with disabilities who experience discriminatory treatment in air travel.
  • By clarifying and expanding rights and enforcement options, the bill aims to improve accessibility, accommodation, and grievance resolution within the air transportation system.

Key provisions and changes (as outlined by the bill’s language and intent)

  • Potential expansion or specification of disability-related protections under federal aviation law, including remedies for discrimination.
  • Provisions likely to define or reinforce the responsibilities of airlines and other air carriers toward passengers with disabilities (e.g., seating accommodations, assistance, boarding/deplaning support, and accessibility of information).
  • Establishment or enhancement of enforcement mechanisms and remedies for individuals who face discrimination, which may include:
    • Administrative remedies (complaint processes, investigations, and corrective actions).
    • Financial or other substantive remedies for harmed passengers (e.g., damages, restitution, or penalties where applicable).
    • Requirements for airlines to address discrimination promptly and to provide accommodations consistent with disability rights standards.
  • Possible alignment with or enhancements to existing disability protections under federal law and aviation-specific regulations.
  • Clarifications related to compliance timelines, reporting, and recordkeeping to ensure accountability.

Who would be affected

  • Air transportation passengers with disabilities would gain clearer rights and more accessible avenues for redress.
  • Airlines and other air carriers, airports, and associated service providers would be responsible for meeting enhanced disability-related obligations and for complying with new enforcement mechanisms.
  • Federal agencies charged with aviation safety and consumer protection (e.g., the Department of Transportation and related bodies) would administer and enforce the new provisions, including handling complaints and enforcing remedies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 18, 2026.
  • Next steps typically include committee consideration, potential amendments, and, if advanced, floor consideration in the Senate. After passage, the bill would move to the House of Representatives for consideration, and, if reconciled, to the President for signature.
  • The specific effective dates, implementation timelines for compliance, and any phased-in requirements would be defined in the bill’s text and any committee reports or amendments.

Additional notes

  • Co-sponsors include prominent Senators: Ron Wyden, Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders, Tammy Duckworth, Maggie Hassan, and Tammy Baldwin, indicating bipartisan interest in disability protections in air travel.
  • The exact statutory language is not provided here; the summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose as described in the introductory information. For precise provisions, reading the bill text and any committee reports is recommended.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact bill text and provide a line-by-line walkthrough of each provision, plus potential fiscal and regulatory implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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