Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB3369 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3369 Introduced , by Rep. Yolonda Morris SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 620 ILCS 5/78.1 new Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Requires a carrier or an indirect carrier to provide assistance to an individual with a disability in a safe, dignified, and prompt manner. Provides that whether assistance is prompt shall depend on the totality of the circumstances. Provides that carriers shall provide or ensure the provision of timely assistance requested by or on behalf of an individual with a disability, or offered by carrier or airport operator personnel and accepted by an individual with a disability, in enplaning and deplaning. Provides requirements for deplaning an individual with a disability who is in an aisle chair. Provides that carriers must timely notify an individual with a disability regarding the status of the storage of the individual's assistive device in the cargo compartment. Provides that, if an individual's wheelchair or scooter is mishandled, the carrier must immediately notify the individual of his or her rights to take certain actions. Provides that a carrier shall presume liability for the mishandling of an individual's assistive device unless the carrier can demonstrate that the circumstances that led to the mishandling of the assistive device were outside of the carrier's control. Requires carriers to take certain actions if an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has been delayed or lost, damaged, or pilfered. Provides that, if an individual with a disability is waiting for his or her mishandled personal wheelchair or scooter to be returned, repaired, or replaced, a carrier must use its best efforts to provide an adequate loaner wheelchair or scooter. Provides that, when conducting training for personnel, a carrier that operates aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats must ensure that the training meets certain requirements for all personnel who interact with the traveling public or who handle individuals' assistive devices as appropriate to the duties of each employee or contractor. Provides training requirements for employees designated as Complaints Resolution Officials. LRB104 06397 LNS 16433 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3369 Introduced , by Rep. Yolonda Morris SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 620 ILCS 5/78.1 new 620 ILCS 5/78.1 new Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Requires a carrier or an indirect carrier to provide assistance to an individual with a disability in a safe, dignified, and prompt manner. Provides that whether assistance is prompt shall depend on the totality of the circumstances. Provides that carriers shall provide or ensure the provision of timely assistance requested by or on behalf of an individual with a disability, or offered by carrier or airport operator personnel and accepted by an individual with a disability, in enplaning and deplaning. Provides requirements for deplaning an individual with a disability who is in an aisle chair. Provides that carriers must timely notify an individual with a disability regarding the status of the storage of the individual's assistive device in the cargo compartment. Provides that, if an individual's wheelchair or scooter is mishandled, the carrier must immediately notify the individual of his or her rights to take certain actions. Provides that a carrier shall presume liability for the mishandling of an individual's assistive device unless the carrier can demonstrate that the circumstances that led to the mishandling of the assistive device were outside of the carrier's control. Requires carriers to take certain actions if an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has been delayed or lost, damaged, or pilfered. Provides that, if an individual with a disability is waiting for his or her mishandled personal wheelchair or scooter to be returned, repaired, or replaced, a carrier must use its best efforts to provide an adequate loaner wheelchair or scooter. Provides that, when conducting training for personnel, a carrier that operates aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats must ensure that the training meets certain requirements for all personnel who interact with the traveling public or who handle individuals' assistive devices as appropriate to the duties of each employee or contractor. Provides training requirements for employees designated as Complaints Resolution Officials. LRB104 06397 LNS 16433 b LRB104 06397 LNS 16433 b A BILL FOR
2	2	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3369 Introduced , by Rep. Yolonda Morris SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
3	3	620 ILCS 5/78.1 new 620 ILCS 5/78.1 new
4	4	620 ILCS 5/78.1 new
5	5	Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Requires a carrier or an indirect carrier to provide assistance to an individual with a disability in a safe, dignified, and prompt manner. Provides that whether assistance is prompt shall depend on the totality of the circumstances. Provides that carriers shall provide or ensure the provision of timely assistance requested by or on behalf of an individual with a disability, or offered by carrier or airport operator personnel and accepted by an individual with a disability, in enplaning and deplaning. Provides requirements for deplaning an individual with a disability who is in an aisle chair. Provides that carriers must timely notify an individual with a disability regarding the status of the storage of the individual's assistive device in the cargo compartment. Provides that, if an individual's wheelchair or scooter is mishandled, the carrier must immediately notify the individual of his or her rights to take certain actions. Provides that a carrier shall presume liability for the mishandling of an individual's assistive device unless the carrier can demonstrate that the circumstances that led to the mishandling of the assistive device were outside of the carrier's control. Requires carriers to take certain actions if an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has been delayed or lost, damaged, or pilfered. Provides that, if an individual with a disability is waiting for his or her mishandled personal wheelchair or scooter to be returned, repaired, or replaced, a carrier must use its best efforts to provide an adequate loaner wheelchair or scooter. Provides that, when conducting training for personnel, a carrier that operates aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats must ensure that the training meets certain requirements for all personnel who interact with the traveling public or who handle individuals' assistive devices as appropriate to the duties of each employee or contractor. Provides training requirements for employees designated as Complaints Resolution Officials.
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8	8	A BILL FOR
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10	10	HB3369 LRB104 06397 LNS 16433 b
11	11	1 AN ACT concerning transportation.
12	12	2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
13	13	3 represented in the General Assembly:
14	14	4 Section 5. The Illinois Aeronautics Act is amended by
15	15	5 adding Section 78.1 as follows:
16	16	6 (620 ILCS 5/78.1 new)
17	17	7 Sec. 78.1. Assistance for individuals with disabilities.
18	18	8 (a) As used in this Section:
19	19	9 "Assistive device" means any piece of equipment that
20	20	10 assists an individual with a disability to cope with the
21	21	11 effects of his or her disability.
22	22	12 "Carrier" means a person who undertakes, directly or
23	23	13 indirectly, or by a lease or any other arrangement, to engage
24	24	14 in air transportation in this State.
25	25	15 "Dignified" means conduct that respects passenger
26	26	16 independence, autonomy, and privacy.
27	27	17 "Hands-on training" means in-person training that provides
28	28	18 an employee or contractor the opportunity to learn and
29	29	19 practice real-life scenarios in a safe and controlled
30	30	20 environment without the possibility of real-life consequences
31	31	21 to individuals with disabilities and with the use of a
32	32	22 suitable life-sized model or equipment, as appropriate.
33	33	23 "Indirect carrier" means a person not directly involved in
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37	37	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB3369 Introduced , by Rep. Yolonda Morris SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
38	38	620 ILCS 5/78.1 new 620 ILCS 5/78.1 new
39	39	620 ILCS 5/78.1 new
40	40	Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Requires a carrier or an indirect carrier to provide assistance to an individual with a disability in a safe, dignified, and prompt manner. Provides that whether assistance is prompt shall depend on the totality of the circumstances. Provides that carriers shall provide or ensure the provision of timely assistance requested by or on behalf of an individual with a disability, or offered by carrier or airport operator personnel and accepted by an individual with a disability, in enplaning and deplaning. Provides requirements for deplaning an individual with a disability who is in an aisle chair. Provides that carriers must timely notify an individual with a disability regarding the status of the storage of the individual's assistive device in the cargo compartment. Provides that, if an individual's wheelchair or scooter is mishandled, the carrier must immediately notify the individual of his or her rights to take certain actions. Provides that a carrier shall presume liability for the mishandling of an individual's assistive device unless the carrier can demonstrate that the circumstances that led to the mishandling of the assistive device were outside of the carrier's control. Requires carriers to take certain actions if an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has been delayed or lost, damaged, or pilfered. Provides that, if an individual with a disability is waiting for his or her mishandled personal wheelchair or scooter to be returned, repaired, or replaced, a carrier must use its best efforts to provide an adequate loaner wheelchair or scooter. Provides that, when conducting training for personnel, a carrier that operates aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats must ensure that the training meets certain requirements for all personnel who interact with the traveling public or who handle individuals' assistive devices as appropriate to the duties of each employee or contractor. Provides training requirements for employees designated as Complaints Resolution Officials.
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42	42	LRB104 06397 LNS 16433 b
43	43	A BILL FOR
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68	68	1 the operation of an aircraft who sells air transportation
69	69	2 services to the general public other than as an authorized
70	70	3 agent of a carrier in this State.
71	71	4 "Individual with a disability" or "Individual" means any
72	72	5 individual who (i) has a physical or mental impairment that,
73	73	6 on a permanent or temporary basis, substantially limits one or
74	74	7 more major life activities, and (ii) has a record of such an
75	75	8 impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.
76	76	9 "Mishandled" means lost, delayed, damaged, or pilfered.
77	77	10 "Safe" means conduct that avoids the risk of bodily injury
78	78	11 and ensures the proper handling of assistive devices.
79	79	12 (b) A carrier or an indirect carrier shall provide
80	80	13 assistance to an individual with a disability in a safe,
81	81	14 dignified, and prompt manner. Whether assistance is prompt
82	82	15 shall depend on the totality of the circumstances, except as
83	83	16 provided in subsection (c).
84	84	17 (c) Carriers shall provide or ensure the provision of
85	85	18 timely assistance requested by or on behalf of an individual
86	86	19 with a disability, or offered by carrier or airport operator
87	87	20 personnel and accepted by an individual with a disability, in
88	88	21 enplaning and deplaning. This assistance shall include, as
89	89	22 needed, the services of personnel and the use of ground
90	90	23 wheelchairs, accessible motorized carts, boarding wheelchairs,
91	91	24 on-board wheelchairs, ramps, and mechanical lifts. When
92	92	25 deplaning, prompt assistance must be provided to an individual
93	93	26 with a disability who uses an aisle chair, including the
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104	104	1 following:
105	105	2 (1) Personnel and a boarding chair to aid in deplaning
106	106	3 the individual shall be available when the last passenger
107	107	4 who did not request deplaning assistance departs the
108	108	5 aircraft.
109	109	6 (2) The individual's personal wheelchair shall be
110	110	7 available as close as possible to the door of the
111	111	8 aircraft, except where this practice would be inconsistent
112	112	9 with federal regulations governing transportation security
113	113	10 or the transportation of hazardous materials or when the
114	114	11 individual requests the wheelchair be returned at a
115	115	12 location other than the door of the aircraft. If the
116	116	13 individual requests the wheelchair be returned at a
117	117	14 location other than the door of the aircraft, an airport
118	118	15 wheelchair shall be available as close as possible to the
119	119	16 door of the aircraft for the individual's use.
120	120	17 (d) Carriers shall provide timely notification to an
121	121	18 individual with a disability when the individual's wheelchair
122	122	19 or scooter has been loaded and stowed in the cargo compartment
123	123	20 and unloaded and retrieved from the cargo compartment. If an
124	124	21 individual's wheelchair or scooter does not fit into the cargo
125	125	22 compartment, the carrier shall immediately notify the
126	126	23 individual.
127	127	24 (e) If an individual's wheelchair or scooter is
128	128	25 mishandled, the carrier shall immediately notify the
129	129	26 individual of his or her rights to the following:
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140	140	1 (1) to file a claim with the carrier;
141	141	2 (2) to receive a loaner wheelchair or scooter from the
142	142	3 carrier;
143	143	4 (3) to choose a preferred vendor for repairs or
144	144	5 replacement of the wheelchair or scooter;
145	145	6 (4) to have a Complaints Resolution Official
146	146	7 available; and
147	147	8 (5) to be provided information on how to contact the
148	148	9 Complaints Resolution Official.
149	149	10 (f) The mishandling of an individual's checked wheelchair
150	150	11 or other assistive device is a violation of the Air Carrier
151	151	12 Access Act and this Section. A carrier shall assume liability
152	152	13 for the mishandling of an individual's assistive device unless
153	153	14 the carrier can demonstrate that the circumstances that led to
154	154	15 the mishandling of the assistive device were outside of the
155	155	16 carrier's control.
156	156	17 (g) If an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has
157	157	18 been delayed, a carrier shall:
158	158	19 (1) ensure that the wheelchair or scooter is
159	159	20 transported to the individual's final destination within
160	160	21 24 hours of the individual's arrival by whatever means
161	161	22 possible; and
162	162	23 (2) provide the individual with a choice between
163	163	24 picking up the wheelchair or scooter at the individual's
164	164	25 final destination airport or having the wheelchair or
165	165	26 scooter delivered to another location upon a reasonable
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176	176	1 request by the individual. The wheelchair or scooter shall
177	177	2 be considered to be provided to the individual when either
178	178	3 (i) the wheelchair or scooter is transported to a location
179	179	4 requested by the individual, regardless of whether the
180	180	5 individual is present to take possession of the wheelchair
181	181	6 or scooter, or (ii) when the wheelchair or scooter has
182	182	7 arrived at the final destination airport, is available for
183	183	8 pickup, and the carrier has provided notice to the
184	184	9 individual of the location and availability of the
185	185	10 wheelchair or scooter for pickup.
186	186	11 (h) If an individual's checked wheelchair or scooter has
187	187	12 been lost, damaged, or pilfered, a carrier shall give the
188	188	13 individual the following options:
189	189	14 (1) The individual may file a claim with the carrier
190	190	15 and elect for the carrier to handle the repair or
191	191	16 replacement of the wheelchair or scooter. The carrier
192	192	17 shall then repair or replace the wheelchair or scooter
193	193	18 with a device of equivalent or greater function and safety
194	194	19 within a reasonable time frame and pay the cost of repairs
195	195	20 or replacement; or
196	196	21 (2) The individual may file a claim with the carrier
197	197	22 and elect to use the individual's preferred vendor to
198	198	23 repair or replace the wheelchair or scooter. The carrier
199	199	24 shall then be responsible for promptly transporting the
200	200	25 damaged wheelchair or scooter to the individual's
201	201	26 preferred vendor, unless the individual has indicated that
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212	212	1 he or she will arrange for the transport himself or
213	213	2 herself, and for paying the cost of transport and repairs
214	214	3 or replacement with a device of equivalent or greater
215	215	4 function and safety within a reasonable time period.
216	216	5 (i) If an individual is waiting for his or her mishandled
217	217	6 personal wheelchair or scooter to be returned, repaired, or
218	218	7 replaced, a carrier shall use its best efforts to work with the
219	219	8 individual to provide an adequate loaner wheelchair or scooter
220	220	9 that meets the individual's functional and safety-related
221	221	10 needs. The carrier shall pay for the cost of the loaner
222	222	11 wheelchair or scooter.
223	223	12 (j) When conducting training for personnel, a carrier that
224	224	13 operates aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats shall ensure
225	225	14 that the training meets the requirements of this subsection
226	226	15 (j) for all personnel who interact with the traveling public
227	227	16 or who handle individuals' assistive devices, as appropriate
228	228	17 to the duties of each employee or contractor. The training
229	229	18 shall include:
230	230	19 (1) Instruction that provides proficiency in the
231	231	20 requirements of applicable federal regulations affecting
232	232	21 the provision of air travel to an individual with a
233	233	22 disability;
234	234	23 (2) Instruction that provides proficiency in
235	235	24 procedures concerning the provision of air travel to an
236	236	25 individual with a disability, including the proper and
237	237	26 safe operation of any equipment used to accommodate the
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248	248	1 individual with a disability;
249	249	2 (3) Instruction that provides proficiency in
250	250	3 procedures that safeguard the safety and dignity of an
251	251	4 individual with a disability during the performance of the
252	252	5 services required under this Section;
253	253	6 (4) Instruction that ensures that employees and
254	254	7 contractors who interact with the traveling public are
255	255	8 trained in different types of disabilities, including how
256	256	9 to distinguish among the differing abilities of
257	257	10 individuals with disabilities. This instruction shall
258	258	11 include the following topics:
259	259	12 (A) the appropriate ways to communicate and
260	260	13 interact with individuals with disabilities, including
261	261	14 individuals with physical, sensory, mental, or
262	262	15 emotional disabilities; and
263	263	16 (B) how to recognize requests for communication
264	264	17 accommodations from deaf-blind passengers and
265	265	18 individuals whose hearing or vision is impaired and
266	266	19 how to use the most common methods for communicating
267	267	20 with such individuals.
268	268	21 (5) Instruction that ensures that employees and
269	269	22 contractors who provide physical assistance to an
270	270	23 individual with a disability who uses a wheelchair or
271	271	24 other assistive device are provided the following:
272	272	25 (A) Hands-on training concerning safe and
273	273	26 dignified physical assistance, including:
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284	284	1 (i) transfers to and from personal or airport
285	285	2 wheelchairs, aisle chairs, and aircraft seats;
286	286	3 (ii) proper lifting techniques to safeguard
287	287	4 passengers;
288	288	5 (iii) how to troubleshoot common challenges in
289	289	6 providing physical assistance; and
290	290	7 (iv) the proper use of equipment in physically
291	291	8 assisting an individual with a disability; and
292	292	9 (B) Training concerning the collecting and sharing
293	293	10 of passenger information, such as Special Service
294	294	11 Request codes, that is needed to ensure safe,
295	295	12 dignified, and prompt physical assistance to the
296	296	13 individual.
297	297	14 (6) Instruction that ensures that employees and
298	298	15 contractors who handle an individual's wheelchair or other
299	299	16 assistive device are provided with the following:
300	300	17 (A) Hands-on training concerning the following:
301	301	18 (i) common types of wheelchairs and other
302	302	19 assistive devices and features of each device;
303	303	20 (ii) airport and airline equipment used to
304	304	21 load and unload wheelchairs and other assistive
305	305	22 devices; and
306	306	23 (iii) methods for safely moving and stowing
307	307	24 wheelchairs, including lifting techniques and
308	308	25 methods for disassembly, reconfiguration,
309	309	26 reassembly, and securement in the cargo
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