Bill > SB84

This bill amends California Civil Code to modify how construction-related accessibility claims for statutory damages can be filed against businesses, particularly focusing on small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The bill requires that before filing a legal proceeding for statutory damages related to disability access violations, a plaintiff must first serve a letter to the defendant specifying each alleged violation and provide 120 days for the business to correct those violations. If the violations are corrected within this 120-day period, the defendant will not be liable for statutory damages, attorney's fees, or costs. The bill also prevents plaintiffs from circumventing these provisions by claiming general discrimination damages under the Americans with Disabilities Act if the underlying claim is based on physical accessibility standard violations. The legislation aims to give businesses a fair opportunity to remedy accessibility issues before facing legal action, while still maintaining the intent of ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities. This approach seeks to balance the rights of people with disabilities with the practical challenges small businesses might face in immediately achieving full accessibility compliance.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB84