1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2017 . 2. Findings; sense of Congress (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 ( Public Law 99–435 ; 100 Stat. 1080), adding a provision now codified in section 41705 of title 49, United States Code (in this section referred to as the ACAA ), prohibiting disability-based discrimination in air transportation. (2) Despite progress, many individuals with disabilities, including veterans, still encounter significant barriers while traveling in air transportation, such as— (A) damaged assistive devices; (B) inaccessible aircraft, lavatories, and communication media; (C) delayed assistance; (D) inequitable treatment of service animals; (E) inadequate disability cultural competency; and (F) a lack of suitable seating accommodations. (b) Sense of Congress The following is the sense of Congress: (1) Access for individuals with disabilities in air transportation must move into the 21st century. Otherwise, individuals with disabilities will be left behind and unable to compete in today’s job market or enjoy the opportunities available to other citizens of the United States. (2) Aircraft must be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities and air carriers must acquire aircraft that meet broad accessibility standards. (3) The ACAA must be updated to improve access to air transportation for individuals with disabilities. Legislation is necessary for the modernization of standards and requirements that will strengthen accessibility in air transportation, including the accessibility of aircraft. (4) The Department of Transportation and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (in this section referred to as the Access Board ) must promulgate regulations to ensure that all passengers with disabilities receive— (A) prompt and effective boarding, deplaning, and connections between flights