California 2015-2016 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 876 — Homelessness.

Last action — April 12 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing law provides that no person shall, on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, genetic information, or disability, be unlawfully denied full and equal access to the benefits of, or be unlawfully subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity that is conducted, operated, or administered by the state or by any state agency, is funded directly by the state, or receives any financial assistance from the state. This bill would afford persons experiencing homelessness the right to use public spaces without discrimination based on their housing status and describe basic human and civil rights that may be exercised without being subject to criminal or civil sanctions, including the right to use and to move freely in public spaces, the right to rest in public spaces and to protect oneself from the elements, the right to eat in any public space in which having food is not prohibited, and the right to perform religious observances in public spaces, as specified. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that these provisions be interpreted broadly so as to prohibit policies or practices that are discriminatory in either their purpose or effect. The bill would authorize a person whose rights have been violated pursuant to these provisions to enforce those rights in a civil action in which the court may award the prevailing plaintiff injunctive and declaratory relief, restitution, damages, statutory damages of $1,000 per violation, and fees and costs. The bill would also require all applicants for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program to annually provide to the Department of Housing and Community Development's Division of Housing Policy Development a copy of its application for funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development that includes the organization's response to the application question regarding steps that its community is taking to reduce criminalization of homelessness. Because the bill would require local agencies to perform additional duties, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to compile the information regarding community actions to reduce criminalization of homelessness found in those applications and provide a report to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. April 12 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. Set for hearing April 12.

  3. April 5 hearing: Reconsideration granted. (Ayes 8. Noes 0. Page 3396.)

  4. (Reconsideration vote only).

  5. Set for hearing April 5.

  6. March 29 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 2. Noes 7. Page 3336.)

  7. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on T. & H.

  8. Set for hearing March 29.

  9. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on T. & H.

  10. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on T. & H.

  11. Referred to Coms. on T. & H. and JUD.

  12. From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 14.

  13. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

  • Liu · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Liu

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

housing civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 876 do?
Existing law provides that no person shall, on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, genetic information, or disability, be unlawfully denied full and equal access to the benefits of, or be unlawfully subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity that is conducted, operated, or administered by the state or by any state agency, is funded directly by the state, or receives any financial assistance from the state. This bill would afford persons experiencing homelessness the right to use public spaces without discrimination based on their housing status and describe basic human and civil rights that may be exercised without being subject to criminal or civil sanctions, including the right to use and to move freely in public spaces, the right to rest in public spaces and to protect oneself from the elements, the right to eat in any public space in which having food is not prohibited, and the right to perform religious observances in public spaces, as specified. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that these provisions be interpreted broadly so as to prohibit policies or practices that are discriminatory in either their purpose or effect. The bill would authorize a person whose rights have been violated pursuant to these provisions to enforce those rights in a civil action in which the court may award the prevailing plaintiff injunctive and declaratory relief, restitution, damages, statutory damages of $1,000 per violation, and fees and costs. The bill would also require all applicants for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program to annually provide to the Department of Housing and Community Development's Division of Housing Policy Development a copy of its application for funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development that includes the organization's response to the application question regarding steps that its community is taking to reduce criminalization of homelessness. Because the bill would require local agencies to perform additional duties, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to compile the information regarding community actions to reduce criminalization of homelessness found in those applications and provide a report to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Who sponsors SB 876?
SB 876 is sponsored by Liu.
What is the current status of SB 876?
This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 876?
Track SB 876 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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