EAST HAVEN – United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Vanessa Roberts Avery, announced today a settlement agreement with Twin Pines Diner in East Haven. This settlement resolves allegations of non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
The agreement follows an ADA complaint from an individual with disabilities, claiming the diner demanded the removal of a service animal as a condition for service.
As part of the settlement, Twin Pines Diner is implementing measures to accommodate service animals. These include posting signs stating “Service Animals Welcome,” establishing a “Service Animal Policy,” and conducting employee training on the policy. The policy will guide staff on legally permissible questions to ask customers accompanied by service animals.
Federal law mandates that places of public accommodation, such as restaurants, must not discriminate based on disability. The ADA empowers the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints, review compliance periodically, and file civil lawsuits in cases of discrimination or issues of public importance. The Department can seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.