Store Research

Senate Bill 331 (Romero � 2003)

Chapter 873, Statutes of 2003 - SB 331

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As enacted in 2003, Senate Bill 331 was a single-section bill that added only Code of Civil Procedure section 340.8 relating to toxic injuries. (See Exhibit #1f) Senator Gloria Romero introduced this bill on February 19, 2003 at the request of the Consumer Attorneys of California. (See Exhibits #1a and #11)

Senate Bill 331 was assigned to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and the Assembly Committee on Judiciary where policy issues raised by the bill were considered. (See Exhibits #3 and #7) Four amendments were made to Senate Bill 331. (See Exhibits #1b through #1e) Subsequent to legislative approval, Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 331 on October 12, 2003, and it was recorded by the Secretary of State as Chapter 873 of the Statutes of 2003. (See Exhibits #1f and #2)

The Unfinished Business analysis of the Office of Senate Floor Analyses summarized Senate Bill 331 as it was last amended on September 8, 2003 as follows:

This bill codifies the doctrine of “delayed discovery” as it applies to the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit for illness, injury or death caused by exposure to hazardous waste.

Assembly Amendments recast with clarifying language with the same intent as when the bill left the Senate and states legislative intent.

(See Exhibit #11, page 1)