
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC12185]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
    CHAPTER 126--EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
 
 SUBCHAPTER III--PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES OPERATED BY PRIVATE 
                                ENTITIES
 
Sec. 12185. Study


(a) Purposes

    The Office of Technology Assessment shall undertake a study to 
determine--
        (1) the access needs of individuals with disabilities to over-
    the-road buses and over-the-road bus service; and
        (2) the most cost-effective methods for providing access to 
    over-the-road buses and over-the-road bus service to individuals 
    with disabilities, particularly individuals who use wheelchairs, 
    through all forms of boarding options.

(b) Contents

    The study shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of the following:
        (1) The anticipated demand by individuals with disabilities for 
    accessible over-the-road buses and over-the-road bus service.
        (2) The degree to which such buses and service, including any 
    service required under sections 12184(b)(4) and 12186(a)(2) of this 
    title, are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with 
    disabilities.
        (3) The effectiveness of various methods of providing 
    accessibility to such buses and service to individuals with 
    disabilities.
        (4) The cost of providing accessible over-the-road buses and bus 
    service to individuals with disabilities, including consideration of 
    recent technological and cost saving developments in equipment and 
    devices.
        (5) Possible design changes in over-the-road buses that could 
    enhance accessibility, including the installation of accessible 
    restrooms which do not result in a loss of seating capacity.
        (6) The impact of accessibility requirements on the continuation 
    of over-the-road bus service, with particular consideration of the 
    impact of such requirements on such service to rural communities.

(c) Advisory committee

    In conducting the study required by subsection (a) of this section, 
the Office of Technology Assessment shall establish an advisory 
committee, which shall consist of--
        (1) members selected from among private operators and 
    manufacturers of over-the-road buses;
        (2) members selected from among individuals with disabilities, 
    particularly individuals who use wheelchairs, who are potential 
    riders of such buses; and
        (3) members selected for their technical expertise on issues 
    included in the study, including manufacturers of boarding 
    assistance equipment and devices.

The number of members selected under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) 
shall be equal, and the total number of members selected under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) shall exceed the number of members selected under 
paragraph (3).

(d) Deadline

    The study required by subsection (a) of this section, along with 
recommendations by the Office of Technology Assessment, including any 
policy options for legislative action, shall be submitted to the 
President and Congress within 36 months after July 26, 1990. If the 
President determines that compliance with the regulations issued 
pursuant to section 12186(a)(2)(B) of this title on or before the 
applicable deadlines specified in section 12186(a)(2)(B) of this title 
will result in a significant reduction in intercity over-the-road bus 
service, the President shall extend each such deadline by 1 year.

(e) Review

    In developing the study required by subsection (a) of this section, 
the Office of Technology Assessment shall provide a preliminary draft of 
such study to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
Board established under section 792 of title 29. The Board shall have an 
opportunity to comment on such draft study, and any such comments by the 
Board made in writing within 120 days after the Board's receipt of the 
draft study shall be incorporated as part of the final study required to 
be submitted under subsection (d) of this section.

(Pub. L. 101-336, title III, Sec. 305, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 360.)


                             Effective Date

    Section effective July 26, 1990, see section 310(c) of Pub. L. 101-
336, set out as a note under section 12181 of this title.


                   Termination of Advisory Committees

    Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not 
later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of 
their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by 
the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is 
renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year 
period, or in the case of a committee established by Congress, its 
duration is otherwise provided for by law. See section 14 of Pub. L. 92-
463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, 776, set out in the Appendix to Title 
5, Government Organization and Employees.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 12186 of this title.
