SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California businesses trying to comply with federal protections for people with disabilities will be shielded from frivolous lawsuits if a bill heading to Gov. Jerry Brown becomes law.
Lawmakers in both houses passed a bill early Saturday morning taking aim at predatory lawsuits related to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
SB1186 by Democratic Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and Republican Sen. Bob Dutton would ban so-called “demand letters” in which lawyers threaten to sue over a violation unless a business pays a set amount.
It also would require attorneys to give businesses notice before filing a lawsuit.
Some disability rights groups were opposed because it could reduce damages from businesses that do not take steps to correct violations.
Attribution:
Lawmakers pass bill to crack down on frivolous lawsuits over Americans with Disabilities Act
The Associated Press
September 1, 2012
The Republic
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a9b33be3fcba44c6b89446068e1cbaff/CA-XGR–Disability-Acces
Additional coverage:
Bill would crack down on disability act lawsuits
The Associated Press
September 1, 2011
San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21449982/bill-would-crack-down-disability-act-lawsuits
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California businesses trying to comply with federal protections for people with disabilities will be shielded from frivolous lawsuits if a bill heading to Gov. Jerry Brown becomes law.
Lawmakers in both houses passed a bill early Saturday morning taking aim at predatory lawsuits related to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
SB1186 by Democratic Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and Republican Sen. Bob Dutton would ban so-called “demand letters” in which lawyers threaten to sue over a violation unless a business pays a set amount.
It also would require attorneys to give businesses notice before filing a lawsuit.
Some disability rights groups were opposed because it could reduce damages from businesses that do not take steps to correct violations.
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