Aug 20, 2019
Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.
Prior to the Congressional recess in 2019, Ken Calvert of California introduced the ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099. This legislation is designed to help businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Though RIMS is in favor of the ADA, its members have reported that the law is being exploited by opportunists in an effort to make a quick buck by threatening typically baseless discrimination suits. By amending the ADA to correct this loophole, business owners will be better protected. This is why RIMS is taking action.
To discuss today’s topic with Justin is special guest, Mark Humphreys! Mark is the Vice President of Litigation and Risk Management at Watt Companies in California, as well as the Vice-Chair of the RIMS External Affairs Committee — so he is definitely the person you want to hear from on this topic!
In today’s episode, Mark covers everything you need to know about the ADA, how the law is being exploited, and how the ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099 will help amend this loophole.
Key Takeaways:
[:12] About today’s episode and featured guest!
[:37] About upcoming RIMS events!
[1:00] More about the ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099 and how it impacts RIMS, RIMS members, and Mark Humphreys.
[1:58] Justin welcomes Mark to the podcast!
[2:07] Mark explains the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and some of the current issues with it.
[3:46] Mark gives an example of an accidental ADA violation and how attornies have made a business out of it.
[6:25] How the ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099 helps businesses comply with the ADA (without getting slammed with lawsuits!)
[9:29] Does Mark see a lot of these ‘drive-by lawsuits’ on a regular basis (that have occurred because of the ADA)? And who is hurt the most by them?
[12:14] How the ACCESS Act solves this issue.
[12:45] How the ACCESS Act will be a focus during the RIMS Legislative Summit and the Day on the Hill event, and why it is incredibly important that we all lobby for this, collectively.
[18:37] Mark speaks about some of his standout memories from years past’s summits.
[20:30] If you’re affected by these types of lawsuits, click the link in the show notes to contact your Member of Congress to support the bill!
[20:38] About upcoming RIMS events and links to follow-up on.
Mentioned in this Episode:
ADA Suits: Contact Your Congressman Here
Introducing ACCESS Act, H.R. 4099 – July 30th, 2019
RIMSCAST Episode: “Dr. Daniel Kaniewski on FEMA Resilience”
RIMSCAST Episode: “Kristen D. Peed on RISK PAC’s Mission”
RIMS Legislative Summit: Oct. 16th–17th in Washington, DC (Use promo code RIMSCAST25 at checkout to save on registration!)
RIMS ERM Conference 2019: Nov. 4th–5th in New Orleans, LA
RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP)
RIMS Membership — Discover why 10,000 of your peers from more than 60 countries are a part of the RIMS community!
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