SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today unanimously passed Senate Bill 1288 by Senator John Laird, legislation to help ensure nonprofits and other beneficiaries receive funds intentionally left to them by donors without unnecessary delays or barriers. The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.

“SB 1288 modernizes California’s non-probate laws by removing unnecessary barriers that can delay access to inherited funds for years, particularly for nonprofits and other beneficiaries who are simply trying to receive assets that were intended for them,” said Laird.

Sponsored by CalNonprofits, San Diego Humane Society, and Valley Humane Society, SB 1288 will establish clearer requirements for financial institutions when distributing beneficiary funds after an account holder’s death, including requiring beneficiary notification, preventing institutions from requiring beneficiaries to open accounts to receive funds, allowing beneficiaries to receive their share independently, and standardizing documentation requirements for nonprofits.

“Donors leave gifts in their estate plans to support the organizations and causes that they are passionate about. Those gifts must be transferred in good faith, without unnecessary delay,” said Geoff Green, CEO of CalNonprofits. “SB 1288 ensures that donor intent is respected, and community impact is prioritized.”

“Donors make intentional decisions to support causes they care about as part of their lasting legacy,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “SB 1288 helps ensure those wishes are respected by improving transparency and removing unnecessary barriers, so nonprofits can receive and put those resources to work in their communities.”

Before serving in the Legislature, Laird was executive director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, where he saw firsthand how critical charitable donations are to sustaining community services.