Skip to main content
S 263 111th Congress Senate Armed Forces and National Security Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration Civil actions and liability Congressional oversight Employment discrimination and employee rights Government information and archives Government liability Public contracts and procurement State and local government operations Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation Wages and earnings

Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009

Introduced: January 15, 2009 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 29, 2009
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-81.
Jan 15, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 15, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to the enforcement of uniformed services members' employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

Makes unenforceable agreements between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of disputes arising under USERRA. Provides exceptions. Requires the validity and enforceability of such an agreement to be determined by a court (as opposed to the arbitrator).

Provides increased liquidated damages, and authorizes punitive damages, against state or private employer violations of USERRA. Provides a right to a jury trial in such cases.

Requires (under current law, authorizes) the award of attorney fees in actions to enforce USERRA.

Defines "successor in interest" for USERRA purposes.

Prohibits wage discrimination against members covered under USERRA.

Requires (under current law, authorizes) a court to use equitable relief, including injunctions and restraining orders when appropriate, for USERRA violations.

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require federal procurement contracts to include a notice that the contractor may have USERRA obligations.

Requires a Comptroller General study on the effectiveness of federal education and outreach programs on employer obligations under USERRA.

What's happening now April 29, 2009

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-81.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 263: Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-263/
MLA
"S. 263: Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-263/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 263, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-263/.
Markdown link
[S. 263: Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-263/)
Report a problem