California adopts pioneering standards for homes contaminated by wildfire smoke

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of two bills that set the first U.S. standards for assessing and remediating homes infiltrated by toxic wildfire smoke. Assemblymember John Harabedian’s AB 1642 directs the state to develop scientifically based safety benchmarks and remediation guidance, while AB 1795 requires insurers to apply those benchmarks in claim handling. The legislation responds to complaints from thousands of Los Angeles area homeowners, many of whom discovered hazardous levels of lead, asbestos and other toxins after the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, which destroyed over 16,000 structures and killed 31 people.

Advocacy led by Jane Lawton Potelle and Eaton Fire Residents United documented that six in ten homes remained unsafe despite cleanup attempts. Additional provisions extend mortgage forbearance options for homeowners whose properties become uninhabitable due to wildfire damage.