Civil actions: service of summons.

Senator Umberg's civil procedure reform expands California courts' authority to permit alternative methods of serving legal summons when traditional approaches prove unsuccessful. The legislation modifies existing law to allow courts to authorize alternative service methods, including electronic delivery, when plaintiffs demonstrate they have exhaustively attempted standard statutory service procedures.

Under the new provisions, plaintiffs must provide detailed documentation of all service attempts, including specific explanations for why each method failed at every location where the defendant might reasonably be found. Courts may then direct service through any means calculated to provide actual notice to the defendant, with electronic mail and other digital technologies now explicitly permitted as options. The amendment maintains existing service requirements for cases involving government entities and their employees, whether sued in official or individual capacities.

The measure establishes a framework for courts to evaluate requests for alternative service by requiring plaintiffs to present comprehensive evidence of their diligence in attempting traditional methods before seeking authorization for electronic or other nonstandard approaches. This procedural update acknowledges modern communication methods while preserving safeguards to ensure defendants receive proper notification of legal proceedings.