AB 764, a bill brought before the California Assembly by Assemblyman Bill Quirk, was passed by the Assembly 73 -0 on May 14th, 2015. It will now go to the California Senate for consideration and passage. A press release from Assemblyman Quirk's office and a copy of the language of the bill can be found on this site and at storefrontsafety.org.
The measures authorizes changes to parking lot design and/or the addition of safety barriers at all state buildings and university campuses in California, and empowers the State Commission to revise building codes to require changes to parking lot design and/or the addition of safety barriers at commercial parking lots. The measure also amends portions of the California Insurance Code to permit insurers to offer discounts to commercial property policy holders that invest in such safety measures.
California is therefore farthest along in the United States in the fight to increase safety at parking lots through better design and building code requirements for safety barriers. In addition,the insurance provisions in AB 764 will enhance the chances of early compliance by property owners, developers, retail chains, and store and restaurant operators because it opens to door to a reduction in liability claims and savings on recurring costs from premiums:
"11895. (a) An insurer may consider the installation of vehicle barriers on a commercial property parking lot as a safety measure eligible for....a discount on the property owner's rates for insurance covering damage or loss to the covered commercial property, or liability..."
This is a HUGE step forward in the adoption of preventative measures that will reduce the number and severity of storefront crashes in the United States. Join with us in the support of this important legislative effort, and please support these other measures also working their way through the process;
State of California AB-764 (as above)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts HOUSE # 2126 INTRODUCED 2015
City of Artesia California ORDINANCE PASSED AND IN EFFECT
City of Buena Park California ORDINANCE BEGINNING DRAFT
Orange County Florida ORDINANCE IN DRAFT -- VOTE DUE SUMMER 2015
States where similar measures might be introduced as soon as 2016:
Texas
Georgia
Florida