Proposed ADA Change May Affect How Families Challenge Disability Discrimination In Schools

Washington, D.C. — A newly introduced bill in the U.S. House would change the legal process for some disability-rights claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a move that could affect families and students who rely on ADA protections when disputes escalate.

The measure, H.R. 7328, was introduced through Tuesday by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, according to the bill’s listing on Congress.gov. The bill’s full text was not yet posted as of Wednesday, limiting details about which claims would be covered and what steps would be required.

Based on the bill title, the proposal would require people bringing certain ADA claims to first exhaust administrative remedies—a legal term that generally means completing designated agency or complaint processes before heading to court. For parents, that could translate into more paperwork, longer timelines, or additional procedural steps before a lawsuit can proceed, depending on how the bill is written once text is available.

Families who believe a child is being denied disability access or accommodations often navigate multiple channels—school district complaint systems, state education offices, or federal civil rights complaints before considering legal action. If the bill advances, parents may want to keep records of communications, evaluations, and accommodation requests, and track deadlines across any complaint processes they start.

Next steps: Watch for the bill text to post on Congress.gov and for committee updates, including any hearing or markup announcements.