Bill Text: CA AB1354 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Civil procedure: discovery: objections.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2012-09-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 232, Statutes of 2012. [AB1354 Detail]
Download: California-2011-AB1354-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 1354 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 232 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 9, 2012 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 13, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 7, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 4, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 26, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 12, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Huber FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act to amend Section 2031.240 of the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to discovery. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1354, Huber. Civil procedure: discovery: objections. The Civil Discovery Act permits a party to a civil action to obtain discovery, as specified, by inspecting documents, tangible things, and land or other property in the possession of any other party to the action. The act provides for procedures that must be followed when the responding party objects to part or all of an inspection demand. This bill would require the responding party, when that party objects to a demand on the basis of privilege or work product, to provide sufficient factual information in its response for other parties to evaluate the merits of that claim, including, if necessary, a privilege log. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to codify the concept of a privilege log as that term is used in California case law. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 2031.240 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read: 2031.240. (a) If only part of an item or category of item in a demand for inspection, copying, testing, or sampling is objectionable, the response shall contain a statement of compliance, or a representation of inability to comply with respect to the remainder of that item or category. (b) If the responding party objects to the demand for inspection, copying, testing, or sampling of an item or category of item, the response shall do both of the following: (1) Identify with particularity any document, tangible thing, land, or electronically stored information falling within any category of item in the demand to which an objection is being made. (2) Set forth clearly the extent of, and the specific ground for, the objection. If an objection is based on a claim of privilege, the particular privilege invoked shall be stated. If an objection is based on a claim that the information sought is protected work product under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2018.010), that claim shall be expressly asserted. (c) (1) If an objection is based on a claim of privilege or a claim that the information sought is protected work product, the response shall provide sufficient factual information for other parties to evaluate the merits of that claim, including, if necessary, a privilege log. (2) It is the intent of the Legislature to codify the concept of a privilege log as that term is used in California case law. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to constitute a substantive change in case law.