SB-29
Civil Rights & Liberties

Civil actions: decedent’s cause of action.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the deadline to file claims for a deceased person's pain and suffering damages until January 1, 2030.
  • Requires courts to collect and report data on pain and suffering damage awards through July 2029.
  • Expands reporting authority to allow any party in a lawsuit to submit settlement and judgment information.
  • Mandates the Judicial Council to report comprehensive claims data to the Legislature by January 2029.

Summary

Senator Laird's proposal to modify California's civil procedure rules would extend the timeline for recovering damages in cases involving deceased individuals through January 2030, continuing a policy that allows personal representatives to seek compensation for a decedent's pain and suffering. The measure builds upon existing provisions that permit such claims if filed between January 2022 and January 2026.

The legislation maintains current requirements for plaintiffs who secure damages to report case details to the Judicial Council, including filing dates, final dispositions, and awarded amounts. However, it expands submission authority to allow any party involved in the action to provide this information, not just plaintiffs. The reporting window would extend through January 2029, with the Judicial Council required to compile and transmit comprehensive data to the Legislature covering cases from January 2025 through July 2029.

The measure preserves existing limitations on recoverable damages, which must relate to losses sustained before death, while leaving intact current provisions regarding medical malpractice claims and elder abuse cases. The reporting requirements would sunset in January 2030 unless extended by future legislation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB29 Laird
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Civil actions: decedent’s cause of action.
February 2021
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

John Laird
John LairdD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
93012PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the deadline to file claims for a deceased person's pain and suffering damages until January 1, 2030.
  • Requires courts to collect and report data on pain and suffering damage awards through July 2029.
  • Expands reporting authority to allow any party in a lawsuit to submit settlement and judgment information.
  • Mandates the Judicial Council to report comprehensive claims data to the Legislature by January 2029.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

John Laird
John LairdD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Senator Laird's proposal to modify California's civil procedure rules would extend the timeline for recovering damages in cases involving deceased individuals through January 2030, continuing a policy that allows personal representatives to seek compensation for a decedent's pain and suffering. The measure builds upon existing provisions that permit such claims if filed between January 2022 and January 2026.

The legislation maintains current requirements for plaintiffs who secure damages to report case details to the Judicial Council, including filing dates, final dispositions, and awarded amounts. However, it expands submission authority to allow any party involved in the action to provide this information, not just plaintiffs. The reporting window would extend through January 2029, with the Judicial Council required to compile and transmit comprehensive data to the Legislature covering cases from January 2025 through July 2029.

The measure preserves existing limitations on recoverable damages, which must relate to losses sustained before death, while leaving intact current provisions regarding medical malpractice claims and elder abuse cases. The reporting requirements would sunset in January 2030 unless extended by future legislation.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB29 Laird
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
93012PASS

Contacts

Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Civil actions: decedent’s cause of action.
February 2021
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1