© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

ADA complaint filed against Mo. House smoking policy

The dome of the Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. Mo. House of Representatives members voted against a ban on smoking in their Capitol offices - a move challenged by an ADA lawsuit. (via Flickr/jimbowen0306)
The dome of the Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. Mo. House of Representatives members voted against a ban on smoking in their Capitol offices - a move challenged by an ADA lawsuit. (via Flickr/jimbowen0306)

The recent move of Missouri House of Representatives members to vote in favor of continuing to allow smoking in their Capitol building offices has drawn some criticism - in the form of a formal complaint.

Rossie Judd of Fenton, Mo. has filed an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint against the policy, saying in her complaint that it denies her "meaningful access to the House of Representatives" as a result.

Judd said in the complaint that she is designated as "breathing disabled" under the ADA,as a result of her COPD, asthma and chronic bronchitis.

In a statement issued to members of the Capitol media, state Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford, D-St. Louis, said that "if the complaint is either not processed or denied, it will then be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice."