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Subcommittee pauses bill to align Virginia code with ADA website accessibility; refers language for further review
Summary
House Bill 16‑80, which would explicitly add websites to Virginia’s definition of places of public accommodation, was laid gently on the table with a request that the Joint Commission on Science and Technology examine technical and implementation issues before the 2026 pre‑filing deadline.
House Bill 16‑80, introduced by Delegate Cohen and drafted in coordination with the Disability Law Center of Virginia, would amend the Virginia code to include websites owned, leased or operated by private entities within the statutory definition of "places of public accommodation." The sponsor said the bill would bring state law into alignment with the U.S. Department of Justice's position that the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to most websites.
John Smeag of the Disability Law Center told the panel "we firmly support the bill," and Jen Krayoski with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities added, "we support this bill." Doug Cohen (commenter) raised drafting concerns, saying the phrase "or a website" could have broad implications and asked that the measure receive more study to understand the technical standards and practical consequences.
The subcommittee agreed to "lay this bill gently on the table" and send a chair's letter to the Joint Commission on Science and Technology asking the commission to examine how best to accomplish the bill’s goals and to expedite work so results could be available before the pre‑filing deadline for 2026. Delegate Price specifically asked the letter to request an expedited review.
The clerk recorded the motion to lay the bill on the table and to send the letter; delegates also thanked Delegate Cohen for sponsoring and working on the issue.
