RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

Added new definitions for 'Accessible', 'Application', 'Information and communication technology', and 'Website' to clarify what digital services are covered.

Explicitly states that a facility is considered a place of public accommodation regardless of whether its presence in the State is physical or digital.

Added new requirements that public accommodations must ensure their digital communications are accessible to persons with disabilities and that interactions through digital technology are as effective as those with individuals without disabilities.

Added specific requirement that websites meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards shall be deemed accessible.

Added exception allowing accommodations not to comply if it would impose an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the technology.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 3000 to July 1, 2026, making the accessibility requirements immediately actionable.

Added four new definitions for 'Accessible', 'Application', 'Information and communication technology', and 'Website' to clarify what digital tools are covered under the law.

Modified the definition of 'place of public accommodation' to explicitly include digital presence, stating that facilities can be physical or digital in nature.

Added new requirements under Section 489-5 that public accommodations must ensure their digital communications are accessible to persons with disabilities, with specific reference to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

Set a compliance deadline of July 1, 2026, for public accommodations to ensure their digital platforms are accessible, with an unusual placeholder date of July 1, 3000 in Section 5.