,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #acah ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #h1 #bjag ,ms4 ,baldwin 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 and ,ms4 ,duckworth7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to protect the rights of passengers with disabilities in air transportation1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,air ,carrier ,access ,amendments ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,findings2 sense of ,congress 7a7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,in #aihf1 ,president ,ronald ,reagan signed the ,air ,carrier ,access ,act of #aihf 7,public ,law #ii-dce2 #ajj ,stat4 #ajhj71 adding a provision now codified in section #dagje of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code 7in this section referred to as the ,,acaa71 prohibiting disability-based discrimination in air transportation4 7#b7 ,despite progress1 many individuals with disabilities1 including veterans1 still encounter significant barriers while traveling in air transportation1 such as-- 7,a7 damaged assistive devices2 7,b7 inaccessible aircraft1 lavatories1 and communication media2 7,c7 delayed assistance2 7,d7 inequitable treatment of service animals2 7,e7 inadequate disability cultural competency2 and 7,f7 a lack of suitable seating accommodations4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,the following is the sense of ,congress3 7#a7 ,access for individuals with disabilities in air transportation must move into the #bast century4 ,otherwise1 individuals with disabilities will be left behind and unable to compete in today's job market or enjoy the opportunities available to other citizens of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,aircraft must be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities and air carriers must acquire aircraft that meet broad accessibility standards4 7#c7 ,the ,,acaa must be updated to improve access to air transportation for individuals with disabilities4 ,legislation is necessary for the modernization of standards and requirements that will strengthen accessibility in air transportation1 including the accessibility of aircraft4 7#d7 ,the ,department of ,transportation and the ,architectural and ,transportation ,barriers ,compliance ,board 7in this section referred to as the ,access ,board7 must promulgate regulations to ensure that all passengers with disabilities receive-- 7,a7 prompt and effective boarding1 deplaning1 and connections between flights2 7,b7 accommodations1 including nonstandard accommodations1 that safely facilitate air travel2 and 7,c7 better access to airport facilities1 including the provision of visually accessible announcements and full and equal access to aural communications4 7#e7 ,legislation is necessary to ensure that individuals with disabilities have adequate remedies available when air carriers violate the ,,acaa 7including regulations prescribed under the ,,acaa74 7#f7 ,unlike other civil rights statutes1 the ,,acaa does not contain a private right of action1 which is critical to the enforcement of civil rights statutes4 ,legislation is necessary to correct this anomaly4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,access ,board ,the term ,access ,board means the ,architectural and ,transportation ,barriers ,compliance ,board4 7#b7 ,air carrier ,the term air carrier means an air carrier or foreign air carrier 7as those terms are defined in section #djajb of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code74 7#c7 ,disability ,the term disability has the meaning given that term in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb71 including the meaning under that section as amended by the ,,ada ,amendments of #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-cbe2 #abb ,stat4 #ceec74 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 #d4 ,improving access to air transportation for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,section #dagje of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #dagje4 ,accessibility of air transportation for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,in providing air transportation1 an air carrier may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of a disability1 including by taking any of the actions prohibited under subsection 7b7 or not taking any of the actions required by subsection 7c74 7b7 ,prohibited actions 7#a7 ,in general ,an air carrier may not-- 7,a7 directly or through a contractual1 licensing1 or other arrangement1 discriminate in the full and equal enjoyment 7within the meaning of that term under section #cjb7;a7 of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abahb7;a777 of air transportation2 7,b7 deny the opportunity of an individual or a class of individuals1 on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class1 to participate in or benefit from the goods1 services1 facilities1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities provided by the air carrier2 7,c7 afford an individual or a class of individuals1 on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class1 with the opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good1 service1 facility1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity that is not equal to a good1 service1 facility1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity afforded to other individuals2 7,d7 subject to paragraph 7#b71 provide an individual or a class of individuals1 on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class1 with a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity that is different or separate from a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided to other individuals2 7,e7 deny any goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities to an individual because of the known disability of another individual with whom the individual is known to have a relationship or association2 7,f7 impose or apply eligibility criteria that screen out or have the effect of screening out individuals with disabilities or a class of individuals with disabilities from fully enjoying any good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided by the air carrier1 unless the air carrier can demonstrate that such criteria are necessary for the provision of the good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity2 7,g7 directly or through a contractual1 licensing1 or other arrangement1 use standards or criteria or methods of administration-- 7i7 that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of disability2 or 7ii7 that perpetuate the discrimination of others who are subject to common administrative control2 7,h7 purchase or lease an aircraft that does not comply with this section and regulations prescribed under this section2 or 7,i7 refurbish an aircraft manufactured before the date of the enactment of the ,air ,carrier ,access ,amendments ,act of #bjag1 or purchase or lease such an aircraft1 unless the aircraft1 to the maximum extent feasible1 is made readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities1 including individuals who use wheelchairs1 in accordance with this section and upon issuance of regulations prescribed under this section4 7#b7 ,exception 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 an air carrier may provide an individual or a class of individuals1 on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class1 with a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity that is different or separate from the good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided to other individuals if doing so is necessary to provide the individual or class of individuals with a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity that is as effective as the good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided to other individuals4 7,b7 ,acceptance ,an individual or a class of individuals shall retain the authority to decide whether to accept or refuse a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity referred to in subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,selection of goods1 etc41 provided to others ,if1 in accordance with subparagraph 7,a71 an air carrier provides to an individual or a class of individuals a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity that is different or separate from the good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided to other individuals1 the air carrier may not deny to an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity provided to such other individuals4 7c7 ,required actions ,an air carrier shall-- 7#a7 afford goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 and other opportunities to an individual with a disability in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual2 7#b7 make reasonable modifications in policies1 practices1 or procedures1 when such modifications are necessary to afford goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities to individuals with disabilities1 unless the air carrier can demonstrate that making such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities2 7#c7 take such measures as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded1 denied services1 segregated1 or otherwise treated differently from other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids or services1 unless the air carrier can demonstrate that taking such measures would-- 7,a7 fundamentally alter the nature of a good1 service1 facility1 privilege1 advantage1 accommodation1 or other opportunity being offered2 or 7,b7 result in an undue burden to the air carrier2 and 7#d7 7,a7 remove architectural barriers to equal access by individuals with disabilities to goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities provided by the air carrier1 and communication barriers to such access that are structural in nature1 in facilities of the air carrier 7whether owned or leased by the air carrier7 that were constructed before or altered after the date of the enactment of the ,air ,carrier ,access ,amendments ,act of #bjag1 and remove barriers to such access in aircraft manufactured before such date of enactment and used by an air carrier for transporting individuals1 if the removal of such barriers is readily achievable2 or 7,b7 if the air carrier can demonstrate that the removal of a barrier described in subparagraph 7,a7 is not readily achievable1 make such goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities available through alternative methods that are readily achievable4 7d7 ,complaints 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,transportation shall ensure that individuals with disabilities traveling in air transportation are able-- 7,a7 to file complaints with the ,department of ,transportation in response to disability-related discrimination prohibited under this section or regulations prescribed under this section2 and 7,b7 to receive assistance from the ,department through a toll-free hotline telephone number or comparable electronic means of communication4 7#b7 ,notice to passengers with disabilities ,each air carrier shall include on its publicly available ,internet website1 any related mobile device application1 and online service-- 7,a7 the hotline telephone number established under section #dbcjb or the telephone number for the ,aviation ,consumer ,protection ,division of the ,department of ,transportation and the ,department's disability assistance hotline telephone number or a comparable electronic means of communication2 7,b7 notice that a consumer can file a disability-related complaint with the ,aviation ,consumer ,protection ,division2 7,c7 an active link to the ,internet website of the ,aviation ,consumer ,protection ,division for a consumer to file a disability-related complaint2 and 7,d7 notice that the consumer can file a disability-related complaint with the air carrier and the process and any timelines for filing such a complaint4 7#c7 ,investigation of complaints 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 investigate each complaint of a violation of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section2 and 7ii7 provide1 in writing1 to the individual that filed the complaint and the air carrier alleged to have violated this section or a regulation prescribed under this section1 the determination of the ,secretary with respect to-- 7,i7 whether the air carrier violated this section or a regulation prescribed under this section2 and 7,,ii7 the facts underlying the complaint4 7,b7 ,referral ,if the ,secretary has reasonable cause to believe that any air carrier or group of air carriers is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination under this section1 or any person or group of persons has been discriminated against under this section and such discrimination raises an issue of general public importance1 the ,secretary shall refer the matter to the ,attorney ,general4 7,c7 ,publication of data ,the ,secretary shall publish disability-related complaint data in a manner comparable to other aviation consumer complaint data4 7,d7 ,review and report ,the ,secretary shall regularly review all complaints received by air carriers alleging discrimination on the basis of disability and shall report annually to ,congress on the disposition of such complaints4 7e7 ,civil action 7#a7 ,aggrieved persons 7,a7 ,in general ,any person aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section may1 during the #b-year period beginning on the date of the violation1 bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the ,united ,states4 7,b7 ,available relief ,if a court finds in favor of the plaintiff in a civil action brought under subparagraph 7,a71 the court may award to the plaintiff equitable and legal relief1 including compensatory and punitive damages1 and shall1 in addition to any such relief1 award reasonable attorney's fees1 reasonable expert fees1 and cost of the action to the plaintiff4 7,c7 ,exhaustion of administrative remedies ,any person aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section shall not be required to exhaust administrative remedies before bringing a civil action under subparagraph 7,a74 7,d7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to invalidate or limit other ,federal or ,state laws affording to people with disabilities greater legal rights or protections than those granted by this section4 7#b7 ,enforcement by ,attorney ,general 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general may bring a civil action on behalf of persons aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section in any appropriate district court of the ,united ,states4 7,b7 ,authority of court ,in a civil action under subparagraph 7,a71 the court may-- 7i7 grant any equitable relief that the court considers to be appropriate2 7ii7 award such other relief as the court considers to be appropriate1 including monetary damages to persons aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section1 when requested by the ,attorney ,general2 and 7iii7 assess a civil penalty against the air carrier4 7f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this subchapter shall require an air carrier to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from goods1 services1 facilities1 privileges1 advantages1 accommodations1 or other opportunities if the individual poses a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies1 practices1 or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,access ,board ,the term ,access ,board means the ,architectural and ,transportation ,barriers ,compliance ,board4 7#b7 ,air carrier ,the term air carrier means an air carrier or1 subject to section #djaje7;b71 a foreign air carrier4 7#c7 ,disability ,the term disability has the meaning given that term in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb71 including the meaning under that section as amended by the ,,ada ,amendments of #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-cbe2 #abb ,stat4 #ceec74 7#d7 ,readily achievable ,the term readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense4 ,in determining whether an action is readily achievable1 factors to be considered include-- 7,a7 the nature and cost of the action needed2 and 7,b7 the overall financial resources of the air carrier4 4 7b7 ,technical assistance ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall ensure the availability and provision of appropriate technical assistance manuals to individuals and entities with rights or responsibilities under section #dagje of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by subsection 7c74 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the chapter analysis for chapter #dag of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to section #dagje and inserting the following3 #dagje4 ,accessibility of air transportation for individuals with disabilities4 4 #e4 ,standards 7a7 ,aircraft with new or amended type certificates 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,access ,board shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards to ensure that aircraft with type certificates under part #ba of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 issued or amended after the date the regulations are issued1 and related boarding and deplaning equipment1 are accessible1 in terms of design for1 transportation of1 and communication to1 individuals with disabilities1 including individuals who use wheelchairs4 7#b7 ,covered aircraft1 equipment1 and features ,the standards issued under paragraph 7#a7 shall address1 at a minimum1-- 7,a7 boarding and deplaning equipment1 including ensuring that there is a route accessible for individuals with disabilities2 7,b7 seating accommodations2 7,c7 lavatories2 7,d7 captioning in-flight entertainment and any other aural communication2 7,e7 individual video displays2 7,f7 visually accessible announcements2 7,g7 adequate in-cabin stowage for assistive devices2 and 7,h7 proper stowage of assistive devices in the cargo hold to prevent damage4 7b7 ,aircraft with an existing type certificate 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,access ,board shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure that barriers to the access of individuals with disabilities1 including individuals who use wheelchairs1 on aircraft with type certificates issued under part #ba of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 before such date of enactment1 are removed to meet basic accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to the extent readily achievable4 7#b7 ,removal of barriers ,the standards issued under paragraph 7#a7 shall apply at a minimum to stowage of wheelchairs in the cargo hold1 captioning in-flight entertainment and any other aural communication1 visually accessible announcements1 individual video displays1 and improved access to seating and lavatories in all aircraft4 7c7 ,airport facilities ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,access ,board shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 issue or revise standards that ensure all gates 7including counters71 ticketing areas1 and customer service desks at airports are accessible to and usable by all individuals with disabilities1 including through the provision of visually accessible announcements and full and equal access to aural communications4 7d7 ,websites and kiosks ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,access ,board shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to access kiosks and websites in a manner that is equally as effective as individuals without disabilities1 with a substantially equivalent ease of use4 ,such standards shall be consistent with the standards set forth in the ,web ,content ,accessibility ,guidelines #b4j ,level ,,aa of the ,web ,accessibility ,initiative of the ,world ,wide ,web ,consortium or any subsequent version4 7e7 ,regulations ,not later than #ahj days after the ,access ,board issues standards under this section1 the ,secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to implement those standards1 including the requirement to maintain accessible features of aircraft1 equipment1 and facilities4 #f4 ,regulations 7a7 ,accessibility of air travel to individuals with disabilities 7#a7 ,assistance 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall prescribe or revise regulations to ensure that individuals with disabilities who request assistance at any time while traveling in air transportation receive timely and effective assistance at airports and on aircraft from trained personnel4 ,such assistance may be in boarding or deplaning an aircraft1 connecting between flights1 or any other similar or related request4 7,b7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall require air carriers to ensure that personnel1 including contractors1 who may be providing physical assistance to a passenger with a disability receive hands-on training on an annual basis in performing that assistance1 including the use of all equipment4 7#b7 ,ticketing practices and seat assignments ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall prescribe or revise regulations-- 7,a7 to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive accommodations1 if requested1 in ticketing and pre-flight seat assignments2 7,b7 to require air carriers to provide priority access to bulkhead seating to people with disabilities who need access to the features of those seats due to a disability regardless of class of service of ticket purchased2 and 7,c7 to ensure the right of passengers with disabilities to stow assistive devices1 including medication and medical supplies1 without cost4 7#c7 ,service animals ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall issue revised regulations-- 7,a7 eliminating additional documentation for psychiatric service animals2 7,b7 protecting the ability of travelers to use emotional support animals in air transportation2 and 7,c7 prohibiting air carriers from requesting medical documentation regarding the need for a service animal as a standard requirement for access4 7b7 ,review and amendment ,the ,access ,board and the ,secretary shall periodically review and1 as appropriate1 amend regulations and standards prescribed under this section4 #g4 ,civil penalties ,section #dfcja7;a7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,penalties relating to harm to passengers with disabilities 7,a7 ,penalty for bodily harm or damage to wheelchair or other mobility aid ,the amount of a civil penalty assessed under this section for a violation of section #dagje that involves damage to a passenger's wheelchair or other mobility aid or injury to a passenger with a disability may be increased above the otherwise applicable maximum amount under this section for a violation of section #dagje to an amount not to exceed #c times the maximum penalty otherwise allowed4 7,b7 ,each act constitutes separate offense ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b71 a separate violation of section #dagje occurs for each act of discrimination prohibited by that section4 4 #h4 ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights 7a7 ,airline passengers with disabilities bill of rights ,the ,secretary shall develop a document1 to be known as the ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights1 using plain language to describe the basic rights and responsibilities of air carriers1 their employees and contractors1 and people with disabilities under the section #dagje of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #d4 7b7 ,content ,the ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights shall include1 at a minimum1 the following3 7#a7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to be treated with dignity and respect4 7#b7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to receive timely assistance1 if requested1 from properly trained air carrier and contractor personnel4 7#c7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to travel with wheelchairs1 mobility aids1 and other assistive devices1 including necessary medications and medical supplies1 including stowage of such wheelchairs1 aids1 and devices4 7#d7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to receive seating accommodations1 if requested1 to accommodate a disability4 7#e7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to receive announcements in an accessible format4 7#f7 ,the right of passengers with disabilities to speak with a complaint resolution officer or to file a complaint with an air carrier or the ,department of ,transportation4 7c7 ,consultations ,in developing the ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights1 the ,secretary shall consult with stakeholders1 including disability organizations and air carriers and their contractors4 7d7 ,display ,each air carrier shall include the ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights-- 7#a7 on a publicly available ,internet website of the air carrier2 and 7#b7 in any pre-flight notifications or communications provided to passengers who alert the air carrier in advance of the need for accommodations relating to a disability4 7e7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall ensure that employees of air carriers and their contractors receive training on the ,airline ,passengers with ,disabilities ,bill of ,rights4 #i4 ,study on in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,access ,board1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 shall-- 7#a7 conduct a study to determine the ways in which individuals with significant disabilities who use wheelchairs1 including power wheelchairs1 can be accommodated on board aircraft through in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems2 7#b7 issue minimum guidelines for such systems2 and 7#c7 submit to ,congress a report on the study4 7b7 ,regulations ,not later than #ahj days after completing the study required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall prescribe regulations consistent with the findings of the study and minimum guidelines issued by the ,access ,board under subsection 7a77#b74 #aj4 ,advisory committee on the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish an advisory committee for the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities 7in this section referred to as the advisory committee7 to advise the ,secretary in implementing section #dagje of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #d4 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall appoint the members of the advisory committee as follows3 7,a7 ,at least #b members of the advisory committee shall be representatives of each of the following3 7i7 ,individual passengers with disabilities4 7ii7 ,national disability organizations4 7,b7 ,at least #b members of the advisory committee shall be representatives of each of the following3 7i7 ,airport operators4 7ii7 ,air carriers4 7iii7 ,entities contracted by air carriers to provide services to individuals with disabilities4 7c7 ,travel expenses ,members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay but shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,chairperson ,the ,secretary shall designate1 from among the individuals appointed under subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 an individual to serve as chairperson of the advisory committee4 7e7 ,duties ,the duties of the advisory committee shall include-- 7#a7 assessing the disability-related access barriers encountered by air travelers with disabilities2 7#b7 determining the extent to which the programs and activities of the ,department of ,transportation are addressing those barriers2 7#c7 making recommendations to the ,secretary with respect to improving the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities2 and 7#d7 carrying out activities needed to make the reports and recommendations required by subsection 7f74 7f7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,february #a1 #bjah1 and annually thereafter1 the advisory committee shall submit to the ,secretary a report on the needs of passengers with disabilities in air travel4 ,each report shall contain-- 7,a7 an assessment of disability-related access barriers that were evident in the preceding year and those that are likely to be an issue during the #e-year period beginning on the date of the report2 7,b7 an evaluation of the extent to which the programs and activities of the ,department of ,transportation are eliminating disability-related access barriers2 7,c7 a description of the actions of the advisory committee during the preceding calendar year2 7,d7 a description of activities that the advisory committee proposes to undertake in the succeeding calendar year2 and 7,e7 any recommendations for legislation1 administrative action1 and other action that the advisory committee considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,submission to ,congress ,not later than #fj days after receiving a report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall transmit to ,congress a copy of the report along with any comments that the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7g7 ,termination ,notwithstanding section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ad71 the advisory committee shall continue in effect until terminated by an ,act of ,congress4