(a)
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)
“Certified access specialist” or “CASp” means any person who has been certified pursuant to Section 4459.5.
(2)
“Construction-related accessibility standard” means a provision, standard, or regulation under state or federal law requiring compliance with standards for making new construction and existing facilities accessible to persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to, any provision, standard, or regulation set forth in Section 51, 54, 54.1, or 55 of the Civil Code, Section 19955.5 of the Health and Safety Code, the California Building
Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (Appendix A to Part 36 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations).
(3)
“Written inspection report” means the CASp report required to be provided pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 55.53 of the Civil Code.
(b)
A local agency shall expedite review of a project application if the project applicant meets all of the following conditions:
(1)
The applicant provides a copy of a disability access inspection certificate, provided by a CASp pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 55.53 of the Civil Code, pertaining to the site of the proposed project.
(2)
The applicant demonstrates that the proposed project is necessary to address either an alleged violation of a construction-related accessibility standard or a violation noted in a written inspection report.
(3)
If project plans are necessary for the approval of a project, the applicant has had a CASp review the project plans for compliance with all applicable construction-related accessibility standards.