Governor Edmund Brown Jr. has signed a California Chamber of Commerce-supported bill that will help businesses assess whether commercial rental property is compliant with disability access laws.
AB 2093 (Steinorth; R-Rancho Cucamonga) ensures that owners and tenants are aware of any construction-related access violations and therefore have the opportunity to resolve any violation before a lawsuit is filed by requiring clarity in commercial property leases regarding whether the property has been inspected by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) and any CASp reports.
The bill was signed by Governor Brown on September 16 and took effect immediately.
Certified Access Specialist Program
California runs a voluntary CASp program that offers access to experienced site inspectors to help small businesses comply with the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These specialists inspect buildings for compliance with applicable state and federal accessibility laws and regulations. AB 2093 mandates that tenants receive copies of any relevant CASp inspection reports that have been completed for a property, so that all parties are aware if ADA violations have been identified. The bill provides transparency to give businesses the opportunity to correct violations and avoid costly litigation.
“Many businesses are simply unaware of ADA violations on their property, and are unexpectedly served with lawsuits which could put them out of business,” said Assemblyman Marc Steinorth in a press release. “This doesn’t help customers, businesses, or our community. AB 2093 will educate business owners regarding voluntary access inspections, so that they may proactively avoid this situation and make their property accessible for all.”
More Information
For more information on CASp, visit dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/programCert/casp.aspx.
Staff Contact: Jennifer Barrera
