[ecko_quote source=”Senator Richard D. Roth”]SB 269 is a bipartisan, commonsense solution that will guarantee access for disabled Californians by providing small businesses with the tools and resources necessary to comply with state and federal disability access regulations.[/ecko_quote]

(Riverside, CA) – Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) bipartisan measure to protect California’s small businesses and the disabled community has been approved by Governor Jerry Brown.  SB 269 passed on a 38-0 and now has the Governor’s signature today, this new law takes effect immediately.

The new law gives small businesses with fewer than 50 employees time to fix access violations. Businesses that hire a certified access specialist will have 120 days to make specified minor repairs to their establishments.

SB 269 also outlines circumstances that cap the liabilities at $1,000 or $2,000 per violation.

Read Full Bill Here

The first significant reform to the State’s disability access regulations since 2012, SB 269 is a modified version of last year’s Senate Bill 251, which was also authored by Senator Roth but vetoed by the Governor.  SB 269 removes the tax credit that was the focus of the Governor’s veto, reduces the employee ceiling for qualifying businesses from 100 to 50 employees, and makes other clarifying changes.

[ecko_quote source=”NFIB/CA State Executive Director Tom Scott”]National Federation of Independent Business/California (NFIB) supported SB 251 last year and immediately supported SB 269 earlier this year. We are grateful Governor Brown signed this legislation today after vetoing its predecessor last year due to tax credits in SB 251.[/ecko_quote]

“This is a major victory for all Californians,” said Senator Roth.  “SB 269 is a bipartisan, commonsense solution that will guarantee access for disabled Californians by providing small businesses with the tools and resources necessary to comply with state and federal disability access regulations. I am glad the Governor agrees with the critical need for this reform, and I am proud to have delivered this victory for California’s small businesses and disability community.”

“National Federation of Independent Business/California (NFIB) supported SB 251 last year and immediately supported SB 269 earlier this year. We are grateful Governor Brown signed this legislation today after vetoing its predecessor last year due to tax credits in SB 251. We thank Senator Roth for reintroducing this legislation after that setback and seeing it to completion with the Governor’s signature,” said NFIB/CA State Executive Director Tom Scott.

SB 269 was co-authored by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Riverbank with Senators Richard Roth, D-Riverside, and Andy Vidak, R-Hanford.

The Legislature has attempted to reform ADA access laws and regulations over the past decade, with the most recent and substantial measure being Senate Bill 1186 (2012) by former Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and former Senator Robert Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga).  While SB 1186 created important policies regarding Certified Access Specialists (CASPs) and compliance notification, there remain significant barriers to ensuring small businesses have the resources and tools necessary to maintain compliance with state and federal disability access laws.  As a result, many businesses throughout California have found themselves out of compliance with state and federal disability access laws.  This situation has prevented Californians in the disability community from having full and equal access to facilities and services.

SB 269, jointly authored by Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford), enjoyed widespread bipartisan support and did not receive a single “no” vote throughout the legislative process.  It is a narrowly crafted provision to provide businesses with much needed disability access education, resources and training, and allows small businesses that have been proactive in identifying access issues a reasonable amount of time to fix any problems identified before a lawsuit arises.