The limitations prescribed in this chapter apply to actions brought in the name of the state or county or for the benefit of the state or county, in the same manner as to actions by private parties. Accounts for the support of patients at state or county hospitals are book accounts as defined in Section 337a, and actions on them may be commenced at any time within four years after the last date of service or the last date of payment.
§ 345.Applicability to Actions Brought In Name State Or County; Accounts For Support of State Or County Hospital Patients Deemed Book Accounts
Title 2. Of the Time of Commencing Civil Actions · Chapter 3. The Time of Commencing Actions Other Than for the Recovery of Real Property · Last amended 1984 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 345 applies this chapter’s limitations periods to actions by or for the benefit of the state or a county the same as it applies to private parties, and treats state or county hospital patient-support accounts as book accounts running four years from the last service or payment.
Full Text of § 345
Plain-English Summary
Section 345 makes clear that government plaintiffs don’t get special treatment under this chapter: the limitations periods it sets apply to actions brought in the name of, or for the benefit of, the state or a county in the same way they apply to actions by private parties.
It also resolves a specific accounting question. Accounts for the support of patients at state or county hospitals are treated as book accounts under § 337a’s definition, and an action on those accounts may be commenced any time within four years after the last date of service or the last date of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the state and counties get a longer statute of limitations than private parties in California?
No. Section 345 applies this chapter’s limitations periods to government plaintiffs the same way it applies to private parties.
How long does the state have to collect on unpaid hospital patient support accounts?
Four years from the last date of service or payment, since § 345 treats those accounts as book accounts under § 337a.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 797, Sec. 1.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: state county hospital account statute of limitations California