Plain English Breakdown
Checked against official source text during the last sync.
New Rules for Delivering Court Papers in Commercial Buildings
This law allows court papers to be left with security or concierge staff at commercial buildings if the person trying to deliver them is refused entry.
What This Bill Does
- Allows leaving a copy of summons and complaint documents with building security, concierge staff, or similar agents when entry is refused or personal service is prevented.
- Counts this delivery as valid 'substituted service' for tenants or occupants in commercial buildings where access to tenant spaces is controlled by these agents.
- Sets the date and time of document drop-off as the official completion time if specific conditions are met.
- Requires a written declaration that lists the date, time, location, description of the person who received the documents, and facts showing they appeared at least 18 years old and in charge of central access.
Who It Names or Affects
- Tenants or occupants in commercial buildings where access to tenant spaces is controlled by security personnel, concierge staff, or similar agents.
- Security personnel, concierge staff, or agents who manage entry at these buildings and receive the documents.
- People attempting to deliver court documents when they are refused entry.
Terms To Know
- Substituted service
- A legal method of delivering court papers by leaving them with someone else or at a specific location instead of handing them directly to the person named in the case, as allowed when personal delivery is not possible.
- Summons and complaint
- The official documents that start a civil lawsuit, telling a person they are being sued and why.
Limits and Unknowns
- This rule only applies to commercial buildings where access is controlled by staff; it does not apply to individuals as defined.
- It cannot be used if the serving party chooses an alternative authorized method of service instead.