By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a bill that would require all restaurants, lounges and bars to have at least 5 percent of their seating options be armchairs, or have armchairs on-site and available upon request.

“I filed this legislation after meeting a constituent in June 2022 who expressed the dangers the elderly and physically impaired individuals face when using chairs without arms, namely that they run the risk of slipping or falling,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Armchairs provide support for individuals who need assistance standing up or sitting down, while also inhibiting them from falling once seated. It is my hope that by providing the physically handicapped with the available assistance, it will make their service safer and more accommodating.”