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AB 820

Homelessness: transport.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gail Pellerin

Prohibits moving a homeless person across jurisdictions unless shelter or long-term housing is first coordinated; agencies face $10,000 civil penalties per violation.

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
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Bill Summary · AB 820

Comprehensive Summary: AB 820 (Homelessness: transport)

Overview

AB 820, introduced February 19, 2025 by Pellerin, would regulate the transport of homeless individuals by local governments and law enforcement. The bill prohibits relocating a homeless person across jurisdictions unless the employee first coordinates shelter or long-term housing for that individual. It creates civil penalties for noncompliance and asserts that the measure addresses a statewide concern, applying to all cities, including charter cities.

Purpose and Intent

  • To ensure that the transportation or relocation of homeless individuals between jurisdictions is paired with a plan to secure shelter or long-term housing.
  • To reduce the practice of moving individuals without coordinating continuous housing or shelter solutions.
  • To establish a statewide standard intended to improve the continuity of housing assistance when relocating homeless individuals.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibition: An employee of a local government or law enforcement agency, acting in official capacity, shall not transport/drop off a homeless individual on public or publicly accessible private property within a different jurisdiction to relocate them, unless shelter or long-term housing is first coordinated.
  • Prohibition: An employee shall not arrange for or fund such transport/drop-off under the same conditions.
  • Penalty: The local government or law enforcement agency is liable for a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation.
  • Scope: The bill applies in all cities, including charter cities, and declares the section a matter of statewide concern.
  • Coordination: The coordination must be with the individual or entity that will provide the shelter or long-term housing.

Definitions (Key Terms in Section 50206)

  • Emergency shelter: Housing with minimal supportive services, limited to six months or less.
  • Homeless individual: Includes those lacking a fixed residence, those whose primary residence is a public/private place not meant for sleeping, or those in designated temporary shelters (including government-funded or charitable shelters, transitional housing).
  • Law enforcement agency: Police, sheriff, district attorney, or county probation.
  • Local government: Any city, county, city and county, special district, etc.
  • Permanent supportive housing: Housing with no stay limit, linked to services to support retention and functioning.
  • Shelter: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent supportive housing.
  • Transitional housing: Housing with supportive services for up to 24 months for recently homeless individuals.

Affected Parties

  • Local governments and their law enforcement agencies.
  • Homeless individuals who are potential recipients of transport between jurisdictions.
  • Agencies or entities providing shelter or long-term housing (as the coordinating counterpart).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: In committee; hearing postponed as of April 7, 2025.
  • Legislative history notes:
    • Reflected to committees on Housing & Community Development (H. & C.D.) and Judiciary (JUD) on March 10, 2025.
    • From printer on February 20, 2025; first reading February 19, 2025.
  • No explicit appropriation; fiscal impact would be determined during committee review.

Potential Impacts

  • Administrative: Requires new coordination processes between law enforcement/local government and shelter/housing providers prior to any inter-jurisdiction relocation.
  • Legal/Compliance: Creates potential civil liability for noncompliant agencies; may necessitate MOUs, protocols, or training.
  • Operational: Could slow or modify inter-jurisdiction transport practices; emphasize housing placement planning as a prerequisite to relocation.
  • Policy: Signals a statewide emphasis on linking relocation decisions to immediate or long-term housing solutions for homeless individuals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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