SB 1840

This bill extends the statute of limitations for causes of action for wrongful death that accrue on or after July 1, 2026. Present law requires such a cause of action to be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued. This bill generally extends the statute of limitations to two years after the cause of action accrued. However, this bill further extends the statute of limitations to three years after the cause of action accrued if all of the following criteria is met:  Criminal charges are brought against a person alleged to have caused or contributed to the death.  The conduct, transaction, or occurrence that gives rise to the cause of action for wrongful death is the subject of a criminal prosecution commenced within two years by a law enforcement officer, district attorney general, or grand jury. ON MARCH 16, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1840, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, provide that prosecution for vehicular homicide committed on or after July 1, 2026 , must commence within 10 years from the date the offense occurs.