All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 1
CaliforniaSB 372025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Civil actions.
Sponsored By: Thomas Umberg (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger consumer lawsuits over lawyer ads
You can sue for illegal lawyer solicitation and unlawful referral practices. You can get $5,000–$100,000 per violation or three times your actual loss, plus attorney fees and court orders. If a misleading lawyer ad harmed you, you can sue after you file a State Bar complaint, the Bar finds substantial evidence, and the ad is not withdrawn. Any California resident can also recover up to $5,000 for each illegal broadcast. When setting damages, courts weigh how serious and willful the conduct was, how often and how long it happened, and the defendant’s finances.
Criminal penalties and loss of office
Breaking these solicitation and referral laws carries heavy penalties. A first conviction can mean up to one year in county jail and/or a fine up to $15,000. Later convictions can mean two to four years of imprisonment and/or a fine up to $15,000. Public officers convicted under this article also forfeit their office and employment.
How to challenge a lawyer ad
To complain about a lawyer ad, you must serve the advertiser. They have 9 days to pull the ad from broadcast and must give the Bar a copy within 7 days. The State Bar decides within 21 days if there is substantial evidence. If evidence exists, removing an electronic ad within 72 hours (or giving notice in 72 hours and removing other media within 30 days) avoids further action. If the ad is not withdrawn, you can sue within one year of the Bar’s decision. For advertisers outside Bar review, give 14 days’ notice and sue within one year of the last run. Courts award public‑interest attorney fees in qualifying cases, and recovered money goes to the Client Security Fund. The Bar tracks complainants for 7 years and requires at least $25,000 security from people who filed five or more unfounded complaints before taking new complaints from them.
Tighter rules for lawyer referral services
Referral services must be certified by the State Bar and follow minimum standards. Clients cannot be charged more than they would normally pay without a referral. Services must offer separate activities for people of limited means and may set reasonable application and renewal fees. A service cannot be owned or run by lawyers who get more than 20% of its referrals, and certifications cannot be transferred. Certified, compliant services and normal fees paid by attorneys are not treated as violating state labor or insurance anti‑solicitation laws. Participating lawyers must carry errors and omissions insurance of at least $100,000 per claim and $300,000 per year, or show financial responsibility. Some plans and pro bono programs are not treated as referral services, and the Bar can deny or revoke certification for noncompliance, improper health‑provider ties, or ad‑rule violations.
Clear rules and discipline for lawyer ads
Lawyer ads must show a responsible California lawyer, firm, or certified referral service and list an office city or State Bar address. Joint ads on short platforms can link to a page with full disclosures. Ads cannot promise results, claim quick cash, use undisclosed dramatizations, or make misleading claims. The law explains what counts as an ad and who is covered, and it exempts media that only display ads and agencies that only prepare them. Joint ads are allowed if each named lawyer or firm signs an agreement and takes responsibility. The State Bar can discipline licensees who break these ad rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas Umberg
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/12/2025
Item 88 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 9/11/2025
Item 100 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 78 • No: 1
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 11 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/8/2025
Vote in CX13
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/5/2025
Item 26 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 36 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/12/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/29/2025
Vote in CS53
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 645, Statutes of 2025.
10/11/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/11/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9/23/2025legislatureAssembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2966.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9/12/2025SenateIn Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
9/12/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 1. Page 3278.) Ordered to the Senate.
9/11/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/3/2025HouseRead second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/2/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025HouseJuly 16 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
7/16/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/9/2025HouseFrom committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
7/3/2025HouseJuly 1 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
6/23/2025HouseReferred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.
6/16/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
6/5/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 1529.) Ordered to the Assembly.
6/5/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
6/2/2025SenateOrdered to second reading.
5/29/2025SenateRead third time and amended.
5/29/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/23/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1188.) (May 23).
5/23/2025SenateSet for hearing May 23.
5/16/2025SenateMay 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5/12/2025SenateSet for hearing May 12.
5/2/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 938.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/30/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/11/2025
Enrolled
9/17/2025
Amended Assembly
9/2/2025
Amended Assembly
7/3/2025
Amended Senate
5/29/2025
Amended Senate
4/21/2025
Amended Senate
3/26/2025
Introduced
12/3/2024