BOMA California Legislative Update - ADA Reform

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Reform Effort – SB 1186 

A bill BOMA California sponsored is being hailed as the most comprehensive and significant reform to California’s ADA Law. It passed the Legislature by a two-thirds vote recently.  At present, California has 40 percent of the nation’s ADA lawsuits but only 12 percent of the country’s disabled population.  SB 1186 will curb lawsuit abuse regarding the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) while promoting increased compliance with disabled accessibility building codes throughout the state.

Included in measure, among other items: 

• A provision that prohibits prelitigation demands for money by attorneys; 
• A new provisions to prevent the stacking of multiple claims to increase statutory damages;
• The measure reduces statutory damages and provides litigation protections for defendants who correct violations; 
• And, the bill establishes priorities for the California Commission on Disabled Accessibility that promote and facilitate disability access compliance. 

Please contact Governor Brown to let him know how this bill will positiviely impact our business or tenants' business – while improving access – and urge him to sign the bill.