The Florida Senate

The purpose and intent of ss. 553.501-553.513 is to incorporate into the law of this state the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, 42 U.S.C. ss. 12101 et seq., and to obtain and maintain United States Department of Justice certification of the Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction as equivalent to federal standards for accessibility of buildings, structures, and facilities. All state laws, rules, standards, and codes governing facilities covered by the guidelines shall be maintained to assure certification of the state’s construction standards and codes. Nothing in ss. 553.501-553.513 is intended to expand or diminish the defenses available to a place of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, including, but not limited to, the readily achievable standard, and the standards applicable to alterations to places of public accommodation.