California Law Bars Cities From Punishing Homelessness Outreach Workers

A California law that takes effect on January 1 prohibits cities from taking legal action against outreach workers who provide services to unhoused people, whether or not the people they serve live in an illegal encampment or location.

As Marisa Kendall explains in CALmatters, “the law says cities cannot bar people or organizations from providing homeless residents with legal services, medical care or things needed for survival, such as food, water, blankets, pillows and materials to protect themselves from the elements.”

The law seeks to protect service workers who are sometimes caught in the crosshairs of hostile policies, with the city of Fremont briefly attempting to make it illegal to help people in illegal encampments. “ts city council later walked back that language — after CalMatters first reported it — but it made a lasting impression on state legislators.”