§ 19970 Severability Clause

Business and Professions Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•If a small part of this law is found to be wrong or unfair, the rest of the law still works.
•The problem part only affects the specific case or person involved, not everyone else.
•The law stays in place for other people and situations.

Example

Imagine a rule at school that says no running in the halls and no chewing gum. If a teacher decides the 'no gum' rule is unfair, only that part is removed.

The rest of the rule (no running) still applies to everyone. Only the 'no gum' part is gone, and only for the kids who complained about it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 19970 Severability Clause

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this chapter, for any reason, is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this chapter and the application thereof to other persons or circumstances, but shall be confined to the operation of the clause, sentence, paragraph, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment was rendered and to the person or circumstances involved. (Added by renumbering Section 19956 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 738, Sec. 117. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

clause sentence paragraph invalid court of competent jurisdiction

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 19970.

Key Takeaways

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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