Summary:

California continues to face a severe homelessness crisis, with over 187,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night and more than 300,000 over the course of a year.  In response, Senate Bill 634 (SB‑634), signed into Law in October 2025, establishes statewide protections to ensure that individuals and organizations can provide essential services to unhoused people without fear of criminal or civil penalties.

Background: Why SB‑634 Was Needed

Recent years have seen a troubling trend: some cities have proposed or enacted ordinances criminalizing acts of humanitarian aid—such as giving food, water, blankets, or medical care to unhoused individuals.  In some cases, these laws categorize service providers as “aiding and abetting” homelessness, threatening fines or jail time for basic survival assistance.

SB‑634 draws a clear line against these punitive measures, affirming that helping people survive is not a crime, but an act of compassion and humanitarianism.

Key Provisions of SB‑634

1.  Prohibition on Criminalizing Aid

• Local jurisdictions cannot adopt or enforce ordinances that prohibit:
• Providing support services (legal, medical, outreach, case management).
• Assisting with acts related to basic survival, including:
• Eating and drinking (food and water).
• Sleeping (blankets, pillows).
• Protection from the elements (tents, tarps, shade).
• Hygiene and immediate health needs.

2.  Definitions

• “Support services” include:
• Street outreach
• Housing navigation
• Harm reduction
• Coordination with health care
• Hygiene services for encampments.
• “Homeless” uses the federal definition under 24 CFR §578.3.
• “Local jurisdiction” includes cities, counties, and special districts.

3.  Statewide Applicability

• Declares homelessness response a matter of statewide concern, applying to all cities, including charter cities.
• Prevents local governments from imposing civil or criminal penalties for acts related to survival or for assisting unhoused individuals.

4.  Legislative Intent

• Promote compassionate, evidence-based approaches to homelessness.
• Remove barriers that hinder outreach and housing efforts.
• Align local practices with state-funded programs, such as HHAP (Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention).

Impact on Local Governments and Service Providers

• Local Governments:
• Must repeal or stop enforcing ordinances that criminalize aid.
• Cannot penalize individuals or organizations for providing survival resources.
• Service Providers:
• Legal protections for nonprofits, faith-based groups, and volunteers.
• Ability to deliver food, water, medical care, and housing navigation without fear of prosecution.
• Community:
• Encourages humanitarian engagement and reduces the stigma associated with homelessness.

✅ Compliance Checklist for SB‑634

Before 1 January 2026:

• Review local ordinances for prohibitions on aid or survival activities.
• Repeal or suspend enforcement of conflicting ordinances.
• Train Law enforcement and city staff on SB‑634 protections.
• Coordinate with outreach organizations to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
• Update public communications to reflect compliance and community support.

Why SB‑634 Matters

Criminalizing homelessness and those who help unhoused individuals only deepens the crisis.  SB‑634 ensures that California adopts a humanitarian, data-driven approach, protecting frontline workers and volunteers while fostering pathways to housing and stability.

Bottom Line

SB‑634 is a landmark Law that prioritizes dignity, compassion, and practical solutions over punitive measures.  By safeguarding the right to provide essential services, California strengthens its commitment to ending homelessness through collaboration, not criminalization, and invites all stakeholders to participate in this collective effort.