Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 737

Bill Title: State Government - Human Relations - Discrimination by Business Establishments Against Individuals with Disabilities

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Raskin, et al.

Subject: Workplace Regulations

Committee: JPR

Bill Summary: This bill would have required a business establishment to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to a business establishment. The bill would have established definitions for “business establishment” and “disability” and established relief for aggrieved individuals.

History: This bill died in JRP without a vote.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: This bill was intended to address website and atm machine accessibility for the blind; however, it reached well beyond technological accomodations. It ultimately would have created a State version of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), without the protections contained in the ADA. There would have been broad impacts to the business community if this bill had passed. For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this bill.

Position Statement: Coming Soon

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.