The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 continues its certain drive toward enactment, as the House of Representatives yesterday approved the fully reconclied version of the bill passed by the Senate last week.  Although President Bush had expressed support with some reservation for the earliest House version of the bill, yesterday afternoon the White House released the following statement:

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is instrumental in allowing individuals with disabilities to fully participate in our economy and society, and the Administration supports efforts to enhance its protections. The Administration believes that the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which has just passed Congress, is a step in that direction, and is encouraged by the improvements made to the bill during the legislative process. The President looks forward to signing the ADAAA into law.

The legislation also modifies the definitions of disabilities and impairments, and adds standards for determining whether an impairment substantially limits an individual's major life activity.

The ADA Amendments Act, once enacted, will become effective January 1, 2009.