Bill > HB2312

This bill establishes the "Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation" to regulate legal actions related to website accessibility for people with disabilities. The legislation allows the attorney general or any Missouri resident to file a civil action against parties initiating what might be considered abusive litigation concerning website access violations. The bill defines an "access violation" as allegations that a public accommodation (including websites operated by Missouri residents) does not provide sufficient access under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar laws. When determining whether a lawsuit is abusive, courts will consider multiple factors such as the plaintiff's history of litigation, the defendant's resources, settlement discussions, and the reasonableness of the legal action. If a defendant attempts to correct an alleged violation within 30 days of receiving notice, there is a presumption that continued litigation could be considered abusive. The bill provides potential consequences for abusive litigation, including the possibility of the court awarding attorney's fees, costs, and punitive damages up to three times the attorney's fees. The legislation will automatically expire if the federal Department of Justice issues official standards for website accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2312&year=2026&code=R