False advertising: substantiation of claims: county counsel.

Under existing law, it is unlawful for a person doing business in California and advertising to consumers in California to make any false or misleading advertising claim. Existing law requires any person doing business, and in whose behalf advertising claims are made to consumers, in California to, upon request of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Attorney General, any city attorney, or any district attorney, provide evidence of the facts on which the advertising claims are based. Existing law authorizes the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Attorney General, any city attorney, or any district attorney to take specified actions upon failure of the advertiser to adequately substantiate a claim within a reasonable time or if the requesting official has reason to believe that the advertising claim is false or misleading. This bill would additionally authorize a county counsel to request official evidence of the facts on which the advertising claims are based and take the above-referenced actions on the failure of the advertiser to respond or if the county counsel has reason to believe the advertising claim is false or misleading.