By Daily Press staff
Property owners who don’t comply with the state’s disabled access laws will soon be forced to, or pay hefty fines.
A bill written by Santa Monica resident and Sen. Sheila Kuehl to address widespread non-compliance with California’s disabled access laws by strengthening enforcement was passed by the Legislature last week by a vote of 24-14.
The bill will now go to Gov. Gray Davis to sign. The measure would allow public prosecutors to pursue civil penalties against building owners who fail to comply with the state’s laws. If the property owner doesn’t correct the violation within a reasonable period of time, the court will be allowed to assess daily penalties.
The bill also allows the state architect’s office to create a “disabled access specialist” certification program to provide better training regarding access standards and to help building owners understand the law.
“I thank my legislative colleagues for passing this bill to put some muscle behind California’s law mandating that public facilities be accessible to all persons regardless of physical ability,” Kuehl said. “This bill is tough but fair.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 18, 2003. Read the original PDF.