Bill > SB634

This bill addresses homelessness by prohibiting local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that prevent people or organizations from providing support services or assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness related to basic survival needs. The bill defines "basic survival" activities as including providing food, water, blankets, sleeping accommodations, protection from weather, and personal hygiene items. It is grounded in extensive legislative findings that highlight California's significant homelessness crisis, including over 187,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, and argues that criminalization of homelessness creates additional barriers to finding housing. The bill specifically prevents local jurisdictions from interfering with support services like legal or medical assistance and defines "homeless" according to federal regulations. The legislation applies to all cities, including charter cities, and is positioned as a statewide concern rather than a municipal issue. By preventing local ordinances that criminalize survival activities, the bill aims to remove obstacles that hinder efforts to address homelessness and provide a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to supporting vulnerable populations.

Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB634