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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 251

Elders and dependent adults: abuse or neglect.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law, the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, provides for the award of attorney's fees and costs to, and the recovery of damages by, a plaintiff when it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is liable for physical abuse or neglect, and the defendant has also been found guilty of recklessness, oppression, fraud, or malice in the commission of that abuse. This bill would authorize a court to apply a preponderance of the evidence standard to any claim brought against a residential care facility for the elderly, an adult community care facility, or a skilled nursing facility, except as specified, for remedies sought pursuant to the above provisions, upon circumstances in which spoliation of evidence, as defined, has been committed by the defendant, as specified. The bill would make this provision inoperative if there is a final judicial determination in any action by any party, or a final determination by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that the state is required by state or federal law or regulation to provide reimbursement under the Medi-Cal program to those facilities for costs associated with this bill and the Legislature does not appropriate sufficient funds to pay for those costs. The bill would make conforming changes to a related provision.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 12:24 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 8, 2025
House		AB 251 Kalra Concurrence in Senate AmendmentspassSet your home in California to see
Sep 4, 2025
Senate		3rd Reading AB251 Kalra By WahabpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 29, 2025
Senate		Do passpassSet your home in California to see
Jun 30, 2025
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Jun 17, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 1, 2025
House		AB 251 Kalra Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
Mar 25, 2025
House		Do pass.passSet your home in California to see

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