California AB863 mandates language requirements for summons in unlawful detainer actions.

California AB863 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to require landlords to provide translated summons in specific languages if the lease was negotiated in those languages or if the tenant's primary language is one of those languages. The Judicial Council must create a single summons form by January 1, 2027, for use in unlawful detainer actions, including information in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean. Failure to serve the required translated summons constitutes an affirmative defense to an unlawful detainer action.

California AB863 mandates language requirements for summons in unlawful detainer actions.

California AB863 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to require landlords to provide translated summons in specific languages if the lease was negotiated in those languages or if the tenant's primary language is one of those languages. The Judicial Council must create a single summons form by January 1, 2027, for use in unlawful detainer actions, including information in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean. Failure to serve the required translated summons constitutes an affirmative defense to an unlawful detainer action.