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HomeCorporations CodeGENERAL PROVISIONSCh. 1§ 18620 Nonprofit Association Liability Rules

§ 18620 Nonprofit Association Liability Rules

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18620 Nonprofit Association Liability Rules

This law says that people who run or work for a nonprofit can be personally responsible if they cause harm, agree to be responsible, or are already liable under another law.

Key Takeaways

  • •If a nonprofit leader agrees to take responsibility for certain actions, they can be sued personally if those actions cause harm.
  • •If a leader does something illegal (a tort) that hurts someone, they can be personally liable.
  • •If another law already makes a leader liable, this law also applies.

Example

A nonprofit holds a fundraiser in a park. One of the directors signs a contract with a food vendor, and the vendor’s grill causes a fire that hurts a visitor.

Because the director signed the contract and the fire happened because of that decision, the director can be held personally liable for the visitor’s injuries under this law.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18620 Nonprofit Association Liability Rules

(a) A member, director, officer, or agent of a nonprofit association shall be liable for injury, damage, or harm caused by an act or omission of the association or an act or omission of a director, officer, or agent of the association, if any of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) The member, director, officer, or agent expressly assumes liability for injury, damage, or harm caused by particular conduct and that conduct causes the injury, damage, or harm. (2) The member, director, officer, or agent engages in tortious conduct that causes the injury, damage, or harm. (3) The member, director, officer, or agent is otherwise liable under any other statute. (b) This section provides a nonexclusive list of existing grounds for liability, and does not foreclose any common law grounds for liability. (Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

memberdirectorofficeragentnonprofit associationliabletortious conductcommon law grounds for liability

Related Statutes

  • § 18605 Nonprofit Association Liability Limitation
  • § 18615 Nonprofit Officer Contract Liability
  • § 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability
  • § 14023 Asset Purchase Restrictions
  • § 12674 Corporate Books Falsification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 18620.
View Official Source