CopyAgo (Fla. Att'y Gen. 2004).
Published | Florida Attorney General Reports
...state's accessibility code is equivalent to federal standards. 3 The accessibility guidelines, with enumerated exceptions, establish the minimum standards for accessibility of buildings and facilities built or altered within the state of Florida. 4 Section 553.505 , Florida Statutes, sets forth exceptions to the applicability of the ADA, stating: "Notwithstanding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, private clubs are governed by ss....
...553.5041 when that section provides increased accessibility." The ADA removes from its coverage, among others, private clubs or religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organizations, including places of worship. 5 The State of Florida, however, through the enactment of section
553.505 , Florida Statutes, has specifically removed the exemption from the ADA for private clubs and makes them subject to the accessibility requirements contained in sections
553.501 —
553.513 , Florida Statutes....
...eral standards." 7 In doing so "[t]he bill lowers some of Florida's more stringent requirements to the federal level, and exempts churches from Florida's accessibility requirements. " 8 (e.s.) Thus, the last expression of the Legislature in amending section
553.505 , Florida Statutes, was to exempt churches from the requirements of sections
553.501 —
553.513 , Florida Statutes....
...§ 12187 stating: "The provisions of this title shall not apply to private clubs or establishments exempted from coverage under title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or to religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organizations, including places of worship." 6 Section 553.505 , Fla....
