Committee hears testimony in favor of bill to shield humanitarian aid to unhoused people from local penalties

Senator Perez told the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee SB 634, the Unhoused Service Providers Protection Act, would prohibit local and state governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that bar people or organizations from providing basic survival services to unhoused people.

Perez said the bill responds to an uptick of local ordinances that impose fines or criminal penalties on volunteers and nonprofits who deliver food, clothing or shelter‑related items to people living outdoors. She cited recent episodes in Fremont, El Cajon and Santa Ana where service‑providers faced legal threats or prosecutions for distributing aid.

Sean Pleasance, co‑chair of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s lived experience advisory board, and Alex Vysotsky (National Alliance to End Homelessness) testified in support. Pleasance described his years living unsheltered, the trauma of police “sweeps” that removed possessions without notice, and the critical role of outreach and service providers in reconnecting people with housing, health care and benefits. Vysotsky cited research showing fines and tickets prolong homelessness and said criminalization makes it harder to end homelessness.

A broad coalition of advocacy and housing organizations registered support, including Disability Rights California, Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, ACLU California Action and multiple local nonprofits.

Representatives of several cities — including Beaumont, Corona and Thousand Oaks — and county supervisors submitted opposition or concerns, saying the measure could limit local tools to manage encampments and public health. Opposition witnesses asked for more clarity about permitted activities and impacts on local authority.

Committee members debated the bill’s scope. Supporters said the bill targets ordinances that criminalize humanitarian aid and would not erase local governments’ responsibility for public health and safety. Some members said the measure should not remove locally available options if services are offered and refused.

A motion to pass SB 634 was made in committee; transcript records a roll call but the excerpt provided does not include a clear, unambiguous final tally or a published referral in the excerpt. The committee record shows detailed debate and that the bill will proceed in the legislative process.