# What is the current California breach-notice deadline for dental records incidents?

> For covered California resident breaches, the current California answer is a 30-calendar-day deadline after discovery.

Last verified: 2026-06-09
Reviewed by: Mahtab Mansour, DDS on 2026-04-25 (re-verification in progress)

## Direct answer
- For current California prep, use the 30-calendar-day state breach-notice deadline after discovery.
- This is the safer answer for post-January 1, 2026 California-specific questions.
- Do not rely on the older 'without unreasonable delay' shortcut as the operative current California rule.

## Common trap
- Candidates who memorized only the older promptness language can miss a current California-specific stem here.

## Full guide
- [What are California dental records and confidentiality rules?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/records-confidentiality/index.html.md): Use this guide when you need the California timelines and confidentiality rules that show up repeatedly on the Dental Law & Ethics exam.

## Focused answer page
- [Focused answer](https://dentovio.com/answers/glossary-what-is-california-breach-notice-deadline/index.html.md): Short, source-bounded answer page for search and AI citation.
- [California law and ethics glossary answer topic](https://dentovio.com/answers/topic/california-law-ethics-glossary/index.html.md)

## Primary sources
- `A48` SB 446 and Civ. Code section 1798.82 California breach-notice update to a 30-calendar-day deadline effective 1/1/2026. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB446>
- `B1` California confidentiality overlay: CMIA and state breach law. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/>

## Next step
- [Take the free diagnostic](https://dentovio.com/free-practice-test)
- [See the paid California prep overview](https://dentovio.com/products/california-dental-law-ethics/index.html.md)

## Related glossary pages
- [How fast must a California dentist respond to a records request?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/how-long-to-respond-to-record-request/index.html.md)
- [How long must a California dental office keep patient records when the office closes?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/how-long-must-office-keep-patient-records/index.html.md)