The Missouri Senate advanced SB 907 in a unanimous vote on March 25, providing new measures aimed at protecting small businesses from what supporters describe as abusive lawsuits related to the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Supporters say the legislation is intended to offer relief for small business owners who have faced legal threats over alleged website accessibility issues. The move comes amid concerns that some attorneys have targeted businesses with demands for costly settlements.
Brad Jones, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said, “Small business owners have found themselves the target of abusive and frivolous lawsuits that make a mockery of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Predatory trial attorneys demanded thousands of dollars in settlements, leaving Main Street scrambling to avoid mounting costs. SB 907 is a commonsense guardrail that will allow small business owners the opportunity to resolve alleged issues with their websites before settling. On behalf of our members, we thank the General Assembly for standing up for the Missouri small business community.”
In recent weeks, Jones published an op-ed in The Kansas City Star urging quick passage of SB 907 by the Senate. The NFIB also released paid radio advertisements calling on lawmakers to act on behalf of small businesses.
Earlier this year, in February, similar reform legislation passed unanimously in the Missouri House.
Observers note that this legislative effort reflects ongoing debates about balancing accessibility requirements with protections against what some see as exploitative litigation tactics targeting local businesses.
