Assembly BillIntroducedCivil Procedure
AB 1742: Civil actions: service of summons: commercial buildings.
What AB 1742 does, verified March 20, 2026
This bill would allow substituted service of process on tenants or occupants of commercial buildings with controlled access, such as those with security personnel or concierge staff. Service can be deemed effective by leaving a copy of the documents with these agents, as long as the person appears to be at least 18 years old and in charge of the central access point. The bill would require a declaration to be filed with the proof of service, detailing the date, time, and place of service, as well as the identity and description of the person controlling access. This method of service would not be available when an alternative authorized method is chosen or for individuals.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. (2026-03-19)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Mar. 19, 2026 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Mar. 04, 2026 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Feb. 23, 2026 | Referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Feb. 06, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 8. |
| Feb. 05, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 5, 2026 · 1,037 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1742
| Introduced by Assembly Member Chen |
February 05, 2026 |
An act to add Section 415.70 to the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to civil actions.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1742, as introduced, Chen. Civil actions: service of summons: commercial buildings.
Existing law prescribes specified methods for the service of a summons in a civil action. Existing law provides that if a copy of the summons and complaint cannot with reasonable diligence be personally delivered to the person to be served, the summons may be served by leaving a copy at the person’s dwelling house, usual place of abode, usual place of business, or usual mailing address, in the presence of a person who is at least 18 years of age, and by thereafter mailing a copy of the summons and complaint, as specified. This method of service is known as substituted service.
This bill would authorize substituted service of process on a tenant or occupant of a commercial building, as defined, wherein access to the tenant spaces is controlled by security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents, if the person attempting service is refused entry or is otherwise prevented from making a direct attempt at personal service. Under this bill, service of process would be deemed effective by leaving a copy of the documents to be served with security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents of the commercial building. The bill would deem service in such a manner to constitute substituted service on the tenant or occupant of the commercial building. The bill would deem service completed on the date and at the time of service, if specified conditions are met. Under this bill, a proof of service would require a declaration setting forth specified information, such as the date, time, and place of service, and the identity or description of the person controlling access with whom the documents were deposited, and facts showing that the person appeared to be at least 18 years of age and in charge of the central access point of the commercial building. These provisions would not apply when an alternative authorized method of service is chosen by the serving party and would not apply to individuals, as defined.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 415.70 is added to the Code of Civil Procedure, to read:415.70.
(a) If a person attempting service of a summons and complaint on a tenant or occupant within a commercial building wherein access to tenant spaces is controlled by security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents, is refused entry to the tenant or occupant’s designated space, or is otherwise prevented from making a direct attempt at personal service, such person shall be authorized to leave a copy of the summons and complaint for the tenant or occupant to be served at the commercial building’s central point of access. Service of the summons and complaint in this manner by leaving the documents with security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents constitutes substituted service on the tenant or occupant.(b) Service made pursuant to this section is deemed complete on the date and time of service, if the person serving the summons and complaint thereafter deposits by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a copy of the summons and complaint addressed to the person controlling access at the address where the copy of the summons and complaint were served, in the manner required by subdivision (b) of Section 415.20.
(c) Proof of service under this section shall include a declaration by the person serving the summons and complaint that sets forth all of the following:
(1) The date, time, and place of service.
(2) The identity or description of the person controlling access with whom the documents were deposited, and facts showing that the person appeared to be at least 18 years of age and in charge of the access point.
(3) Any prior attempts at personal service demonstrating reasonable diligence, if required.
(4) Any refusal by a person controlling access to allow direct access or to accept documents, and the stated basis, if any, for such refusal.
(5) The date, time, and method by which the follow-up copy was transmitted pursuant to subdivision (b).
(d) For purposes of this section, “commercial building” means a standalone or multi-tenant structure or complex used for business, professional, or commercial purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, office towers, professional complexes, and mixed-use buildings with commercial occupancy, where access to tenant spaces is controlled by security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents stationed at a central point such as a lobby, reception desk, or elevator bank.
(e) For purposes of this section, “person attempting service” means any individual authorized by law to serve a summons, subpoena, notice, or other legal paper or document. This includes, but is not limited to, a process server as defined in subdivision (f), a sheriff, marshal, constable, any other person lawfully appointed by the court, an attorney, or any person 18 years of age or older not a party to the action.
(f) For purposes of this section, “process server” means an individual registered under Section 22351 of the Business and Professions Code who presents a county-issued process server identification card as set forth in Section 22351 of the Business and Professions Code and states that they are present to serve process, or a sheriff, marshal, or other person authorized by law to serve process, summons, or subpoenas.
(g) For purposes of this section, a guard, security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agent who receives documents under subdivision (b) shall be deemed a “person apparently in charge” of the tenant’s office or place of business pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 415.20.
(h) This section does not apply to a single-tenant building in which direct access to the tenant’s premises is not restricted by security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents, or when an alternative method of service authorized by this code, including service by mail under Section 415.30, is chosen by the serving party.
(i) This section does not apply to individuals, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 1798.3 of the Civil Code.
Text of AB 1742 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions