97-25993. Certification of the Maine Human Rights Act Under the Americans With Disabilities Act  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 51683-51684]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-25993]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
    
    Office of the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
    
    
    Certification of the Maine Human Rights Act Under the Americans 
    With Disabilities Act
    
    AGENCY: Department of Justice.
    
    ACTION: Notice of preliminary determination of equivalency and 
    certification hearings.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (Department) has determined that the 
    State of Maine Human Rights Act, 5 MRSA Sec. 4553 et seq., as 
    implemented by the Maine Accessibility Regulations (together, the Maine 
    law), meets or exceeds the new construction and alterations 
    requirements of title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
    1990 (ADA). The Department proposes to issue a final certification, 
    pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12188(b)(1)(A)(ii) and 28 CFR Sec. 36.601 et 
    seq., which would constitute rebuttable evidence, in any enforcement 
    proceeding, that a building constructed or altered in accordance with 
    the Maine law meets or exceeds the requirements of the ADA. The 
    Department will hold informal hearings on the proposed certification in 
    Washington, D.C. and Augusta, Maine.
    
    DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be in writing and 
    must be received on or before December 1, 1997. The hearing in Augusta, 
    Maine is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 1997 at 10:00 AM, Eastern 
    Time. The hearing in Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Tuesday, 
    December 2, 1997 at 2:00 PM, Eastern Time.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments on the preliminary determination of equivalency and 
    on the proposal to issue final certification of equivalency of the 
    Maine law should be sent to: John L. Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights 
    Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 
    66738, Washington, D.C. 20035-6738.
        The hearings will be held at:
    Augusta, Maine: Room 113, State Office Building, Augusta, Maine.
    Washington, D.C.: Disability Rights Section, 1425 New York Avenue, 
    N.W., Suite 4039, Washington, D.C.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John L. Wodatch, Chief, Disability 
    Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. 
    Box 66738, Washington, D.C. 20035-6738. Telephone number (800) 514-0301 
    (Voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
        Copies of this notice are available in formats accessible to 
    individuals with vision impairments and may be obtained by calling 
    (800) 514-0301 (Voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Copies of the Maine law 
    and supporting materials may be inspected by appointment at 1425 New 
    York Avenue, N.W., Suite 4039, Washington, D.C. by calling Tito Mercado 
    at (202) 307-0663 (Voice/TDD). This is not a toll-free number.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice, upon application by a 
    State or local government, to certify that a State or local law that 
    establishes accessibility requirements meets or exceeds the minimum 
    requirements of title III of the ADA for new construction and 
    alterations. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12188(b)(1)(A)(ii); 28 CFR Sec. 36.601 et 
    seq. Final certification constitutes rebuttable evidence, in any ADA 
    enforcement action, that a building constructed or altered in 
    accordance with the certified code complies with the new construction 
    and alterations requirements of title III of the ADA.
    
    [[Page 51684]]
    
        By letter dated July 21, 1995, the Maine Human Rights Commission 
    requested that the Department of Justice (Department) certify that the 
    Maine Human Rights Act, 5 MRSA Sec. 4553 et seq., as implemented by the 
    Maine Accessibility Regulations (together, the Maine law), meets or 
    exceeds the new construction and alterations requirements of title III 
    of the ADA.
        The Department has analyzed the Maine law and has preliminarily 
    determined that it meets or exceeds the new construction and 
    alterations requirements of title III of the ADA. By letter dated 
    September 23, 1997, the Department notified the Maine Human Rights 
    Commission of its preliminary determination of equivalency.
    
    Effect of Certification
    
        The certification determination will be limited to the version of 
    the Maine law that has been submitted to the department. The 
    certification will not apply to amendments or interpretations that have 
    not been submitted and reviewed by the Department.
        Certification will not apply to buildings constructed by or for 
    State or local government entities, which are subject to title II of 
    the ADA. Nor does certification apply to accessibility requirements 
    that are addressed by the Maine law that are not addressed by the ADA 
    Standards for Accessible Design.
        Finally, certification does not apply to variances or waivers 
    granted under the Maine law. Therefore, if a builder receives a 
    variance, waiver, modification, or other exemption from the 
    requirements of the Maine law for any element of construction or 
    alternations, the certification determination will not constitute 
    evidence of ADA compliance with respect to that element.
    
    Procedure
    
        The department will hold informal hearings in Washington, D.C. and 
    Augusta, Maine to provide an opportunity for interested persons, 
    including individuals with disabilities, to express their views with 
    respect to the preliminary determination of equivalency of the Maine 
    law. Interested parties who wish to testify at a hearing should contact 
    Tito Mercado at (202) 307-0663 (Voice/TDD). This is not a toll-free 
    number.
        The hearing sites will be accessible to individuals with 
    disabilities. Individuals who require sign language interpreters or 
    other auxiliary aids should contact Tito Mercado at (202) 307-0663 
    (Voice/TDD). This is not a toll-free number.
    
        Dated: September 22, 1997.
    Isabelle Katz Pinzler,
    Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
    [FR Doc. 97-25993 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4410-13-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/02/1997
Department:
Justice Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of preliminary determination of equivalency and certification hearings.
Document Number:
97-25993
Dates:
To be assured of consideration, comments must be in writing and must be received on or before December 1, 1997. The hearing in Augusta, Maine is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 1997 at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time. The hearing in Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 1997 at 2:00 PM, Eastern Time.
Pages:
51683-51684 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-25993.pdf