Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a city or county to perform an annual inspection of every homeless shelter located in its jurisdiction.

Highlights:

• Requires cities and counties to inspect every homeless shelter annually to ensure compliance with health and safety standards (Sec. 17974.1(b)).

• Requires cities and counties to respond to complaints from shelter residents by inspecting the facility and issuing notices to fix violations if needed (Sec. 17974.1(c)).

• Authorizes cities or counties to issue emergency orders if a shelter is deemed dangerous, hazardous, or imminently detrimental to life or health (Sec. 17974.1(c)(3)).

• Requires homeless shelters to post information about the residents’ rights, how to file complaints, and provide this information in written form for residents during intake (Sec. 17974.1.5).

• Authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to enforce the law through a civil lawsuit if needed (Sec. 17974.3(b)).

• Requires all cities and counties to file an annual report to the state by April 1st, including data on the number of complaints received and any pending uncorrected violations (Sec. 17974.5(a)).

• Authorizes the state to withhold funding from cities or counties that fail to participate in the annual reporting or fail to take action to fix ongoing violations (Sec. 17974.5(e)).

Full Bill Text