| Last Version Text |
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<ns0:MeasureDoc xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:ns0="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1#" xmlns:ns3="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" version="1.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1# xca.1.xsd">
<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250SB__044898AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-18</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-04-09</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
</ns0:History>
<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>448</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Umberg</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthors: Senators Niello, Pérez, and Seyarto)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Ávila Farías, Gallagher, and McKinnor)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Umberg</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Niello</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Pérez</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Seyarto</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ávila Farías</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Gallagher</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>McKinnor</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to add Section 602.15 to the Penal Code, relating to trespassing. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>trespassing</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Trespassing: removal of trespassers on residential property.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law prohibits the tenant of a property to remain on a property after the lawful termination of a lease agreement, as specified. Existing law prescribes a procedure for obtaining a judgment against such a tenant and for effecting the eviction of that tenant.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law prohibits entering or occupying real property or structures without the consent of the owner.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would define a squatter as somebody who unlawfully enters and remains in a residential property and, upon request, refuses to leave or falsely claims a legal right of possession.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would prescribe a procedure for the notice and removal of a squatter by a local law enforcement agency. The bill would authorize a property owner or their agent to serve a demand to vacate, as
specified, upon a squatter. The bill would authorize the owner or agent, after service of the demand, to submit a request, signed under penalty of perjury, to the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction where the property is located, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>By expanding the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandate local program.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the law enforcement agency, upon receipt of the request, to verify the request and, upon verification, to remove the unlawful occupants from the property without unreasonable delay, as specified. The bill would describe the duties of local law enforcement personnel during a removal.</html:p>
<html:p>By imposing new duties on local law enforcement agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would authorize a local law enforcement agency to assess a fee for
processing a request and conducting a removal.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently causing or attempting to cause the removal of another person pursuant to these provisions. A violation of
this prohibition would be punishable as a misdemeanor or felony.</html:p>
<html:p>By creating new crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>The bill would also create a civil cause of action for damages and restoration of possession against a person who fraudulently causes the removal of a person pursuant to the provisions, by the person who was removed.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would state that, notwithstanding any other state or local law, it is intended to provide the remedy for unlawful occupation of a residential property by a squatter and would specify that it applies only to situations involving a squatter and not situations involving a tenant or other person with a bona fide claim to tenancy or title.</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, with regard to certain mandates, no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.</html:p>
<html:p>With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
</ns0:DigestText>
<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>YES</ns0:LocalProgram>
</ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:MeasureIndicators>
<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
<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>
</ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
</ns0:MeasureIndicators>
</ns0:Description>
<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_59F4101B-F111-49C1-BAB3-1B05F1F390C2">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_ADDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:PEN:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2F%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'602.15'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
Section 602.15 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Penal Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_720207F6-85A5-4AEB-9B8B-5210E181A833">
<ns0:Num>602.15.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_05084F0A-9B41-4950-BAF5-9A49D1F81ACB">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Except as provided in subdivision (b), the following procedure may be used for the removal of a squatter from a property:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If the property owner previously filed a notarized request form provided by a law enforcement agency pursuant to subdivision (o) of Section 602, the property owner may serve a demand to vacate on a squatter on the property.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The demand to vacate shall include the following heading, printed in at least 16-point type: “Demand to Immediately Vacate the Property.”
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The demand to vacate shall be addressed to all unauthorized persons in possession and shall include the full mailing address and assessor’s parcel number of the property, including, if applicable, a unit or apartment number, printed in at least a 16-point type.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The demand to vacate shall include the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the property owner, printed in at least a 16-point type.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The demand to vacate shall include the following statement printed in at least 12-point type: “You are trespassing on the property described in this
notice. You are not an authorized occupant of the property. You must vacate the property and remove all personal possessions within 72 hours after service of this notice. Failure to comply with this demand will result in forcible removal from this property by local law enforcement.”
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Service may be effectuated by either personal delivery to any occupant of the property who is at least 18 years of age, or by the conspicuous posting of the demand at the property and thereafter mailing a copy of the demand by first-class mail, to the address where the demand was posted.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No sooner than 72 hours after the service of the demand to vacate, the property owner may file a request for removal with local law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction where the property is
located.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The request for removal shall include all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A written request for the removal of unauthorized persons from the property.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The street address and assessor’s parcel number of the property.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the request and proof of ownership of the property, which may be established by a copy of the recorded deed, or proof of agency, which may be established by a written authorization from, or executed contract with, the legal owner of the property.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iv)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A copy of the demand described in paragraph (1), including proof
of service of the demand.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(v)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the person submitting the request is the owner of the property or authorized agent thereof, that the persons present at the subject property are unauthorized persons, that all information provided in the request is accurate and true to the best of their knowledge, and that the request is being made in good faith and in compliance with all of the provisions of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(vi)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The request for removal may, but is not required to, include additional evidence of the
unauthorized occupancy, including, but not limited to, restrictions of access such as boarded-up doors and windows, posted signs regarding construction or prohibition of trespassing, video or security camera footage of the unauthorized person or persons entering or accessing the property through windows or locked or broken doors.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A local law enforcement agency may prescribe the form and manner of submission for the request described in this paragraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A local law enforcement agency may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of processing a request for removal and conducting a removal, including any standby time.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Upon receipt of a request described in paragraph (2), local law enforcement shall verify the request
and, if valid, shall remove the unauthorized persons from the property without unreasonable delay.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The local law enforcement agency shall provide the requester with reasonable notice of the date and time of the scheduled removal and may require the requester to be present.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The responsibility of the local law enforcement agency at the time of removal shall be to make entry into the property and to remove unauthorized persons from the property. Upon the request of the owner, the law enforcement agency shall stand by for a reasonable time while any personal property is removed from the property and the locks are changed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A person who fraudulently causes or attempts to cause the removal of another person from property pursuant to this section is guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
An occupant who has been removed from a property pursuant to this section under circumstances in which the owner acted fraudulently or in bad faith may file a civil action for restoration of possession, damages equal to three months of rent, expenses incurred as a result of the removal, and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in that action.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section does not limit the authority of local law enforcement to make an arrest or take other legal action for a related violation of law, including, without limitation, trespassing, burglary, theft, vandalism, possession of controlled substances or weapons, or resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law or local ordinance, this section is intended to provide the remedies for the unauthorized occupation of residential property by squatters.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall apply only to unauthorized persons. This section does not apply to a tenant, former tenant who is in an active dispute with the owner, holdover tenant, or a person with a bona fide claim of tenancy or title, including title by adverse possession.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
As used in this section, the following terms are defined as follows:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Demand” means a demand to vacate a property described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Owner” means the legal owner of the property or an agent
thereof, including a property manager.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Property” means a dwelling structure or a dwelling unit within a structure, including, without limitation, a house, mobilehome, condominium, or apartment, or dwelling structure or dwelling unit located on federally recognized tribal lands.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Squatter” or “unauthorized person” means a person who has unlawfully entered and is occupying a property without the consent of the owner and refuses to leave upon request or fraudulently claims a lawful right of possession.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_34DB746C-3A60-4548-8C09-D86DB1B344FA">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act or because costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the
California Constitution.
</html:p>
<html:p>However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other 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>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>
|