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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Governor Schwarzenegger: I am pleased to REQUEST your SIGNATURE on SB 1608 (Corbett), which is a bipartisan comprehensive reform measure designed to address two important goals: 1) Promoting and increasing compliance with state and federal civil rights laws providing for equal access for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations; and 2) Reducing unwarranted, unnecessary litigation that does not advance the goals of disability access. SB 1608 addresses the important goals of increased disability access compliance and reduced unwarranted litigation through the following major bill provisions: California Disability Access Commission – Creates an independent state commission on disability access in the state of California which will serve as an advisory body and information center on disability access issues. Increased Education and Awareness – Establishes minimum continuing education requirements for building inspectors and architects on disability access laws. Additionally, demands for money issued by attorneys under the disability access laws must be accompanied by an advisory statement available in multiple languages on building owner/tenant obligations under the disability access laws, as well as an explanation of the recipient’s legal options. Promotes Use of State-Certified Disability Access Specialists – Seeks to improve compliance by encouraging existing building owners to voluntarily utilize certified access specialists (CASp), individuals who have passed state-established experience, education, and testing standards in disability access requirements. Court Procedure Encouraging Compliance – Establishes a court procedure, available only for defendants who have demonstrated diligence in complying with disability access laws by hiring a CASp. One of the significant, ongoing state problems to which SB 1608 responds is a small but widely destructive, atypical group of plaintiffs and lawyers using the disability laws and court system to systematically extract monetary settlements from businesses rather than to seek access. All too often, the result has been businesses closing their doors for good, which is not the purpose of the access laws. Businesses have both a vested interest and responsibility to comply with disability access laws. At the same time, California’s laws should facilitate and acknowledge the efforts of businesses who desire to comply and take steps accordingly. I believe SB 1608 strikes a fair and reasonable balance.

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