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# Disabled access law in effect
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/disabled-access-law-in-effect/
- Published: 2003-10-16T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:06:16.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Groups will post new law signs*

*By Daily Press staff*

Building owners will now be forced to make their properties accommodating for disabled people.

The new law, introduced by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) was recently signed by Gov. Gray Davis that is designed to wipe out non-compliance with California disabled access laws by strengthening enforcement and education.

The law will allow public prosecutors to pursue civil penalties against building owners who fail to comply with California’s disabled access laws. If the property owner does not begin to correct the violation within a reasonable period of time, the court will be allowed to assess daily penalties to force compliance.

The bill also allows the state architect’s office to create a “disabled access specialist” certification program to provide better training regarding access standards to help building owners identify advisors on disabled access issues in order to better understand how to comply.

A recent University of California study reports that the current violations range from ramps that are too steep, uneven, or lack safety rails, bathrooms that are too small for wheelchairs to maneuver in, doorways that are too heavy to open and buildings that have no nearby parking facilities.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 16, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/101603.pdf?ref=smdp.com)