SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California businesses trying to comply with federal protections for people with disabilities will be shielded from frivolous lawsuits if a bill heading to Gov. Jerry Brown becomes law.

Lawmakers in both houses passed a bill early Saturday morning taking aim at predatory lawsuits related to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

SB1186 by Democratic Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and Republican Sen. Bob Dutton would ban so-called "demand letters" in which lawyers threaten to sue over a violation unless a business pays a set amount.

It also would require attorneys to give businesses notice before filing a lawsuit.

Some disability rights groups were opposed because it could reduce damages from businesses that do not take steps to correct violations.

(Story distributed by The Associated Press)