Missouri lawmakers move bills forward to protect businesses from 'sue and settle' website litigation

January 23, 2026 - 08:23

In a significant move to protect local enterprises, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a package of five bills on Wednesday designed to curb what proponents call "abusive website access litigation." The legislation now moves to the state Senate for consideration, potentially setting new legal standards for how such cases are handled.

The bills collectively address the practice often referred to as "sue and settle," where businesses, particularly small ones, face lawsuits alleging their websites are not accessible to individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Lawmakers argue that while accessibility is important, the current legal environment has led to a flood of predatory lawsuits. These suits, they claim, often target businesses with demand letters seeking quick financial settlements rather than genuine improvements to website functionality.

The proposed measures would introduce several key protections. They would require plaintiffs to provide specific details about the alleged access barriers before filing a lawsuit and grant businesses a 90-day window to rectify any issues. Furthermore, the legislation would mandate that any monetary damages awarded must be proportional to the severity of the violation. Supporters state that this framework encourages compliance and remediation over litigation, allowing businesses to focus on fixing problems without the immediate pressure of a costly court battle.

Opponents of the legislation, including some disability rights advocates, express concern that the new hurdles could weaken the ADA's enforcement power and reduce the incentive for businesses to proactively ensure their digital content is accessible to all customers. They argue that the threat of litigation has been a primary driver for many companies to improve their online services.

The outcome in the Senate will be closely watched by business owners and advocacy groups alike, as Missouri joins several other states in attempting to navigate the complex intersection of digital commerce and civil rights law.