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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 45Pt. 2Ch. 4Art. 1§ 78650 Hazardous Substance Release Response

§ 78650 Hazardous Substance Release Response

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 78650 Hazardous Substance Release Response

Key Takeaways

  • •If bad stuff (like chemicals) spills or might spill, the boss (director) can check what happened and how bad it is.
  • •The boss can do tests and studies to figure out where the bad stuff came from and how to clean it up.
  • •The boss can also make plans to fix the problem and make sure the people who caused it pay for the cleanup.

Example

A big truck crashes and spills a bunch of weird-smelling liquid on the road.

The boss can send people to check what the liquid is, where it came from, and how to clean it up safely. They can also make the truck company pay for the cleanup.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 78650 Hazardous Substance Release Response

When the director determines that a release of a hazardous substance has occurred or is about to occur, the director may do any or all of the following: (a) Undertake those investigations, monitoring, surveys, testing, and other information gathering necessary to identify the existence, source, nature, and extent of the hazardous substances involved and the extent of danger to the public health or environment. (b) Undertake those planning, legal, fiscal, economic, engineering, architectural, and other studies or investigations that are necessary or appropriate to plan and direct response actions, to recover the cost of those actions, and to enforce this part. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 257, Sec. 2. (AB 2293) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 4 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 257.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

directorreleasedangerhazardhealthsubstanceenvironmentoperative january

Related Statutes

  • § 78775 Hazardous Site Compliance Rules
  • § 80720 Hazardous Material Release Definition
  • § 101483 Exempt Hazardous Waste Sites
  • § 108125 Hazardous Substance Definition
  • § 108200 Hazardous Substance Labeling Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 78650.
View Official Source