BILL NUMBER: AB 2044INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wagner FEBRUARY 23, 2012 An act to amend Section 415.46 of the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to service of process. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2044, as introduced, Wagner. Service of process: unlawful detainer. Existing law establishes a procedure for service of process in actions for unlawful detainer with respect to occupants, as specified, which if complied with prohibits any occupant form objecting to enforcement of the judgment, including with respect to service of a prejudgment claim of possession. Existing law provides that among the methods of service, a prejudgment claim of right to possession may also be served on any person who appears to be or who may claim to have occupied the premises at the time of the filing of the action. This bill would, in addition, provide that service of a prejudgment claim of right to possession may be served on any person who is over 18 years of age and apparently left in charge of the premises. Existing law requires that service of the prejudgment claim of right to possession be effected, as specified, by a marshal, sheriff, or registered process server. This bill would provide that service may also be effected by a person who is at least 18 years of age and not a party to the action. The bill would make additional conforming changes. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 415.46 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read: 415.46. (a) In addition to the service of a summons and complaint in an action for unlawful detainer upon a tenant and subtenant, if any, as prescribed by this article, a prejudgment claim of right to possession may also be served on any person who appears to be or who may claim to have occupied the premises at the time of the filing of the action or is over 18 years of age and apparently left in charge of the premis es . Service upon occupants shall be made pursuant to subdivision (c) by serving a copy of a prejudgment claim of right to possession, as specified in subdivision (f), attached to a copy of the summons and complaint at the same time service is made upon the tenant and subtenant, if any. (b) Service of the prejudgment claim of right to possession in this manner shall be effected by a marshal, sheriff, or registered process server or in the manner described in Section 414.10 . (c) When serving the summons and complaint upon a tenant and subtenant, if any, the marshal, sheriff,orregistered process server , or other authorized server pursuant to Section 414.10 shall make a reasonably diligent effort to ascertain whether there are other adult occupants of the premises who are not named in the summons and complaint by inquiring of the person or persons who are being personally served, or any person of suitable age and discretion who appears to reside upon the premises, whether there are other occupants of the premises. If the identity ofsuchan occupant is disclosed to the officer or process server and the occupant is present at the premises, the officer or process server shall serve that occupant with a copy of the prejudgment claim of right to possession attached to a copy of the summons and complaint. If personal service cannot be made upon that occupant at that time, service may be effected by (1) leaving a copy of a prejudgment claim of right to possession attached to a copy of the summons and complaint addressed to that occupant with a person of suitable age and discretion at the premises, (2) affixing the same so that it is not readily removable in a conspicuous place on the premises in a manner most likely to give actual notice to that occupant, and (3) sending the same addressed to that occupant by first-class mail. In addition to the service on an identified occupant, or if no occupant is disclosed to the officer or process server, or if substituted service is made upon the tenant and subtenant, if any, the officer or process server shall serve a prejudgment claim of right to possession for all other persons who may claim to occupy the premises at the time of the filing of the action by (1) leaving a copy of a prejudgment claim of right to possession attached to a copy of the summons and complaint at the premises at the same time service is made upon the tenant and subtenant, if any, (2) affixing the same so that it is not readily removable in a conspicuous place on the premises so that it is likely to give actual notice to an occupant, and (3) sending the same addressed to "all occupants in care of the named tenant" to the premises by first-class mail. The person serving process shall state the date of service on the prejudgment claim of right to possession form. However, the absence of the date of service on the prejudgment claim of right to possession does not invalidate the claim. (d) Proof of service under this section shall be filed with the court and shall include a statement that service was made pursuant to this section. Service on occupants in accordance with this section shall not alter or affect service upon the tenant or subtenant, if any. (e) If an owner or his or her agent has directed and obtained service of a prejudgment claim of right to possession in accordance with this section, no occupant of the premises, whether or notsuchthat occupant is named in the judgment for possession, may object to the enforcement of that judgment as prescribed in Section 1174.3. (f) The prejudgment claim of right to possession shall be made on the following form: GRAPHIC INSERT HERE: SEE PRINTED VERSION OF THE BILL]