ATRA applauds Governor Brown for Signing ADA Reform Legislation

On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown of California signed S.B. 1186 into law.  This ADA reform legislation looks to better protect small businesses from frivolous ADA lawsuit abuse.  Small businesses have been consistently targeted and the problem gained national attention when Senator Diane Feinstein sent a letter  to Senate President pro tem Darrell Steinberg expressing concerns that ADA lawsuits were threatening the viability of small businesses.  In her letter, she urged state legislators to address the problem or she would take matters into her own hands.

ATRA praises the California legislators and Governor for enacting this legislation, and encourages even more reform.  In June, the bill was stripped of a key provision requiring an attorney to notify a business owner of a violation at least 30 days prior to filing a claim.

California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse executive director Tom Scott released the following statement today regarding Governor Jerry Brown’s signing of S.B. 1186:

“This law will help curb abusive lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Governor and legislature deserve credit for getting it passed. Our elected officials heard the voices of small business owners who have been repeatedly victimized by abusive lawsuits at a cost to all Californians. While this is a step in the right direction, much more work remains to be done to rid our state of abusive lawsuits that cost Californians jobs.

“We are hopeful that Governor Brown will further support legal reform by signing A.B. 2274, which closes a loophole that allows harassing and abusive lawsuits to clog the legal system and delay legitimate claims, and vetoing A.B. 2346, which will open the door for abusive lawsuits against farmers and agricultural businesses.”