WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 654

Relating to: a public information campaign related to aggressive driving and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 14 co-sponsors

LA County must establish a homelessness resource telephone system to receive calls and link users to services, potentially creating a reimbursable state-mandated local cost.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 654

AB 654 — Homelessness Resource Telephone System (Caloza) — Bill Summary

Note: The bill information header you provided lists a different title (a public information campaign on aggressive driving). The legislative text and committee documents for AB 654 consistently address a homelessness resource telephone system. This summary reflects the bill text and legislative history concerning homelessness resources.

Main purpose and intent

AB 654 requires the County of Los Angeles to establish a dedicated “homelessness resource telephone system” to receive calls about individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness and to provide those callers with resources and referrals. The bill is intended to improve access to information and services for people facing homelessness in Los Angeles County.

Key provisions

  • Adds Article 6.7 (commencing with Section 53128) to the Government Code.
  • Definitions:
    • “Local public agency” — city, county, city and county, or joint powers authority that provides a public safety answering point (PSAP).
    • “Homelessness resource telephone system” — a telephone system structured to provide access to resources provided by a local public agency to help address homelessness.
  • Core requirement: The County of Los Angeles shall establish a homelessness resource telephone system to receive telephone calls about individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and to provide those individuals with resources.
  • Legislative finding: The Legislature declares a special statute is necessary because of unique circumstances in Los Angeles County (Section 16, Article IV of the California Constitution).
  • State-mandated local program: By imposing new duties on the County of Los Angeles, the bill creates a potential state-mandated local program. If the Commission on State Mandates finds the act imposes reimbursable state-mandated costs, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts shall be made pursuant to existing Government Code procedures (Part 7, commencing with Section 17500 of Division 4 of Title 2).

Who is affected

  • Primary: County of Los Angeles — required to establish and operate the telephone system.
  • Secondary: Local public agencies within the bill’s definition (PSAP providers), service providers who may be connected via the system, and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who would use the service.
  • Fiscal: Potential costs to Los Angeles County; may trigger state reimbursement if determined to be a state mandate.

Procedural status and timeline (selected highlights)

  • Introduced in the Assembly: February 13, 2025.
  • Referred to Assembly committees: Housing & Community Development; Communications & Conveyance; Appropriations.
  • Assembly actions: Passed Assembly (3rd reading) May 23–27, 2025 (passed: Ayes 61, Noes 14).
  • Senate referrals: Sent to various Senate committees including Human Services, Local Government, and Appropriations.
  • Committee outcomes: Multiple “do pass” recommendations and re-referrals; placed on and later held in Appropriations suspense file.
  • Latest listed action: Held under submission in committee (08/29/2025).

Fiscal and implementation notes

  • No appropriation is included in the bill text.
  • By creating an affirmative obligation on Los Angeles County, the bill may result in implementation costs; the bill contains a statutory provision addressing state reimbursement if the Commission on State Mandates finds costs were imposed by the state.

Sponsors and authors

  • Author: Assemblymember Caloza (per legislative digest)
  • Listed primary sponsors (from supplied materials): Stubbs, Vining, Neubauer, Ortiz-Velez, Clancy, Roe, Taylor, Palmeri, Miresse, Andraca, Moore Omokunde, Goodwin, Anderson, Madison, Fitzgerald.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory language of Section 53128 for use in a report;
- Estimate potential implementation costs and staffing needs for Los Angeles County based on comparable 311/homelessness call centers; or
- Draft talking points or pros/cons for legislative or stakeholder briefings.

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

Sign in to ask a question.