Tales from the ARVInn

Chapter 8
The ARV Act of 2062

Chapter Description: After years of debate and indecision, protection for AR Adults becomes law.

Tales from the ARVInn: ARV Act of 2062

As the nation recovered from the panics and civil disturbances caused by the Age Regression Virus, cooler heads and wiser minds realized that a new class of disabled persons had been created.  While some of the victims were able to continue at work, many others were not.  There were some who simply had no way of returning to their previous vocation due to their greatly reduced size and strength.  For some, it was an almost total loss, as they were too small for almost every job.  Others had to change careers, finding a job wherever or at whatever task it was possible for them to do. 

There was also the problem of the virtual enslavement of some victims, either by misunderstandings or by criminal intent, which the media loudly presented.  Recognition of age regression as a disabling condition was a way of protecting all the victims and ensuring that they were not taken advantage of in pay, work conditions or everyday life.

A number of states and even cities around the country passed laws and ordnances dealing with the situation, but these were not complete or even compatible.  A federal law was needed and debate over its extent was fueled by partisanship and disagreements over methods.  Finally, with the need underscored by several exposes in the media and their resulting court cases, Congress managed to create a bill which the President would sign.  HR 378/SB 38 became the “Age Regression Victims Act of 2062.” 

The law specifically stated that all persons whose age was regressed, reversed or halted by the effects of the Age Regression Virus were to be considered as adults in every sense if they had reached their 18^th birthday, as shown by their birth registration.  It made allowances for caretakers for those who were mentally impaired by the virus, parallel to existing laws for guardianships and conservatorships for other adults.  It criminalized the mistreatment of ARV-Adults and any attempt at illegal use of the status.  Under the law, ARV-Adults were given a special tax deferment and extended unemployment benefits to allow for them to train for jobs or seek employment.  Disability benefits were made available for those who were most severely affected.  Tax incentives were established to encourage employers to hire ARV-Adults and to encourage manufacturers to provide appropriate clothing, household goods and other materials suited for their use. 

Essentially, the new law provided for age regression as a handicapping condition, as for other conditions, adding them to the provisions of the existing Americans with Disabilities Act.

A national registration of ARV-Adults was ordered as a function of the Department of Health and Human Services, with new funding for staff and registration processes.  The Office for ARV-Adults was given 18 months to establish these processes and to issue identification for all ARV-Adults.

One of the first requirements established was to issue to each qualifying ARV-Adult an official identification card.  These were created using the latest in smartcard and digital technology, to thwart virtually all counterfeiting attempts.  The methodology used was already tried and tested by many industries as a means of safeguarding proprietary technologies, which meant that it was available upon passage of the Act. 

Regulations concerning qualifications and benefits were in place by the end of 2062 and have been revised over the following years.  Essentially, they required that ARV-Adults were to be treated exactly as any other adults in any legal situation.  The law remains in force, with only minor adjustments having been made since 2062.

John R. Porlis and Mattie Leone were two of the individuals recognized as instrumental in the passage of the Act.  They and several others were outspoken in their support of ARV-Adults in the media and in Congressional testimony.  Porlis’ ARVInn Foundation was a well-publicized effort which received much notice during the time of debate which led to the Act’s passage.  Leone was tremendously effective as a witness during the Senate portion of the hearings.  He became something of a celebrity as a result.

The number of instances of abuse have declined through the years as the public has become aware of the law and has been most supportive in its application.  Cases of outright abuse have declined from a hundred or more annually in the early years to only 2 or 3 in any recent year.  ADA violations usually are the most common items occurring, with disagreements over workplace accommodations being the usual cause.

Written 31 October 2110

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