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<ns0:Id>20250AB__143298AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-21</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-03-28</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1432</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Hoover</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Hoover</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title>An act to add Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 8258) to Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to homelessness. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>homelessness</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Homelessness Accountability, Recovery, and Treatment Act.</ns0:Subject>
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<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law establishes and provides funding for various state programs in connection with assisting the homeless, including Housing First. Existing law establishes the core components of Housing First to include, among other things, tenant screening and selection practices that promote accepting applicants regardless of their sobriety or use of substances, completion of treatment, or participation in services.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill, the Homelessness Accountability, Recovery, and Treatment Act, would authorize a state agency to use up to 40 percent of existing noncontinuously appropriated funds allocated to a homelessness program on recovery housing that does not meet the core components of Housing First.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law requires the
Governor to create an Interagency Council on Homeless to create partnerships among state agencies and departments, local government agencies, and specified nonprofit entities to arrive at specific strategies to end homelessness and collect, compile, and make publicly available specified financial data provided to the council from all state-funded homelessness programs.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require a nonprofit that receives state or local government funding for homelessness programs to annually report to the relevant state agency or local government from which they receive funding specified standardized performance metrics. The bill would require a state agency, as defined, to develop a standardized reporting template and compile and publish an annual report summarizing the performance metrics. The bill would require a nonprofit to maintain records and documentation to support the performance metrics and make those records available for audit or review upon request by a
local government or state agency. The bill would require a state agency, in collaboration with local governments, to establish procedures for certifying the accuracy of the performance metrics. To the extent that the bill would require a local government to cooperate fully with a state agency to establish those procedures, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require a state agency to provide technical assistance and resources to assist nonprofits, particularly smaller nonprofit organizations, in complying with these reporting requirements. The bill would require a state agency to adopt regulations to implement the act no later than January 1, 2027, and would require a nonprofit to begin reporting performance metrics beginning with the first full fiscal year following the adoption of regulations.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would define various terms for purposes of the act.</html:p>
<html:p>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.</html:p>
<html:p>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 the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
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<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
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<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_8DD0C4DD-BBA8-43AB-A64B-AF8B9B115398">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Homelessness is a critical issue in California that affects individuals, families, and communities across the state.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Nonprofits play a vital role in providing services and support to individuals and
families experiencing homelessness, often with funding from local and state governments.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
To ensure the effective use of public funds and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, it is essential to establish standardized performance metrics for measuring the success of homelessness programs.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Regular reporting of these metrics will provide transparency, enable data-driven decision making, and foster accountability among nonprofits receiving public funds for homelessness services.
</html:p>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_FBCD8154-8DB1-41C3-B8E9-FDC61F50377F">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 8258) is added to Division 8 of the
<ns0:DocName>Welfare and Institutions Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading id="id_DE92FC61-27EE-4FE3-B836-C85BD29F1562" type="CHAPTER">
<ns0:Num>6.6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_65A6FA93-443E-4DD2-9478-1422FA041BCE">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Homelessness Accountability, Recovery, and Treatment Act</ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_66ADD3AF-756E-4D7E-9C3C-F1010211BD7F">
<ns0:Num>8258.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Homelessness Accountability, Recovery, and Treatment (HART) Act.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_4808B1E3-8092-4774-BD52-BECECA0C20C1">
<ns0:Num>8258.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_619CC7D1-99E4-485B-8BF5-739D8512738A">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>For purposes of this act, the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Local government” means a city, county, or city and county in the state.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Nonprofit” means an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that receives funding from the state or local governments for programs aimed at addressing homelessness.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Performance metrics” means specific, quantifiable indicators used to assess the effectiveness of homelessness programs.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Recovery housing” means sober living facilities and
programs that provide housing in a recovery-focused and peer-supported community for people recovering from substance use issues or receiving treatment for mental illness. Facilities and programs may require sobriety as a prerequisite for participation or be required pursuant to a court order or is a condition of release for individuals under the jurisdiction of a county probation department or the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“State agency” means any California state agency or department that funds, implements, or administers a homelessness program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Homelessness program” means any program that a California state agency or department, or a local government, funds, implements, or administers for the purpose of providing emergency shelter, interim housing, housing, or housing-based services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of
homelessness.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_3CBBA043-36FC-4EE7-BE77-7330EDE9A6D9">
<ns0:Num>8258.2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_56D20EE6-A260-4E13-9DC5-7235FC836D42">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A state agency may use up to 40% of existing noncontinuously appropriated funds allocated to a homelessness program on recovery housing that does not meet the core components of Housing First, as defined under Section 8255.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_C76E1303-B0E2-45A3-BCED-85C77121C07B">
<ns0:Num>8258.3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_1F9E421B-9706-4048-90B6-174D8589BB0B">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonprofit that receives state or local government funding for homelessness programs shall report to the relevant state agency or the local government from which they receive funding the following standardized performance metrics:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The total number of individuals and families served by the nonprofit’s homelessness programs during the reporting period.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of individuals and families placed in permanent housing during the reporting period.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of individuals and families placed in temporary housing during the reporting period.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of individuals and families who received support services, including, but not limited to, job training, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and case management.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of individuals and families who exited homelessness and maintained stable housing for at least six months.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The cost per individual or family served.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The cost per individual or family placed in permanent housing.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency, in consultation with local governments and stakeholders, may establish additional performance metrics as necessary to further evaluate the effectiveness of homelessness programs.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state
agency shall develop a standardized reporting template to be used by all nonprofits to ensure consistency and comparability of data.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency shall compile and publish an annual report summarizing the performance metrics. The annual report shall be made publicly available on the state agency’s website and shall include an analysis of trends, outcomes, and areas for improvement in addressing homelessness.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The report required under subdivision (a) shall be submitted on an annual basis, with each report covering the preceding 12-month period. A state agency may adjust the reporting frequency to every other year for nonprofits that demonstrate consistent compliance and accuracy in reporting.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonprofit shall maintain records and documentation to support the performance metrics reported under
subdivision (a) and shall make those records available for audit or review upon request by a local government or state agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonprofit that is found to have submitted inaccurate or fraudulent data may be subject to penalties, including, but not limited to, the repayment of funds, ineligibility for future funding, or other sanctions as determined by the state agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A nonprofit shall begin reporting performance metrics as required by this section beginning with the first full fiscal year following the adoption of regulations by the state agency pursuant to Section 8258.5.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_EC7EDE98-22E2-4363-8A4A-CB59EDE493F5">
<ns0:Num>8258.4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_27BC0E5D-8652-4E83-B97A-2C81A528BF94">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency, in collaboration with local governments, shall establish procedures for certifying the accuracy of the performance metrics reported pursuant to Section 8258.3. A local government shall cooperate fully with a state agency in establishing the procedures pursuant to this subdivision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency may conduct random audits of nonprofits to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of this section and the accuracy of reported data.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency shall provide technical assistance and resources to assist nonprofits, particularly smaller nonprofit organizations, in complying with the reporting
requirements of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A state agency may allocate a portion of the funds for a homelessness program to support nonprofits in developing the capacity to collect, track, and report the required performance metrics.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_2DB21406-9036-4C0F-BC90-296F4FFAA135">
<ns0:Num>8258.5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_126F128D-EF2B-4C04-8735-77972D5B6851">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A state agency shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this act no later than January 1, 2027.</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_B8C1D21A-5759-4FCB-8A90-5EEC451D956C">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.</html:p>
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