Homelessness.

Existing law provides that no person in the state 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 enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless. The bill would provide that every homeless person has the right, among others, to move freely, rest, eat, share, accept, or give food or water, and solicit donations in public spaces, as defined, and the right to lawful self-employment, as specified, confidentiality of specified records, assistance of legal counsel in specified proceedings, and restitution, under specified circumstances. By requiring a county to pay the cost of providing legal counsel, as specified, the bill would increase the duties of local agencies, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The bill would provide immunity from employer retaliation to a public employee who provides specified assistance to a homeless person. The bill would require local law enforcement agencies to make specified information available to the public and report to the Attorney General on an annual basis with regard to enforcement of local ordinances against homeless persons and compliance with the act, as specified, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The bill would provide for judicial relief and impose civil penalties for a violation of the act. This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to fund the provision of health and hygiene centers, as specified, for use by homeless persons in designated areas. This bill would provide that its provisions address a matter of statewide concern. The bill would provide that its provisions are severable. 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.