FL H0727

Creates section 553.5141 of Florida Statutes to establish a certification and remediation plan process for places of public accommodation regarding Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Allows owners of places of public accommodation to file either a certificate of conformity (valid for 3 years) or a remediation plan (up to 10 years) with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, prepared by qualified experts including licensed engineers, architects, contractors, and building officials.

Requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to develop and maintain a public website containing an electronic registry of all filed certifications of conformity and remediation plans.

Mandates that courts consider filed certificates of conformity or remediation plans when determining if an ADA Title III lawsuit was filed in good faith and whether the plaintiff is entitled to attorney fees and costs.

Appropriates $5,000 in recurring funds and $155,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Professional Regulation Trust Fund to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for implementation, effective July 1, 2017.