Homeless shelters: safety regulations.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's homeless shelter safety legislation mandates annual inspections of all homeless shelters in California while establishing new oversight and enforcement mechanisms. The bill requires cities and counties to conduct yearly inspections, which may be announced or unannounced, and promptly investigate complaints about substandard conditions.

The legislation creates new transparency requirements for shelter operators, who must prominently display information about occupant rights and complaint procedures, as well as provide written notices to new residents during intake. Cities and counties must maintain public records of all inspections and submit comprehensive annual reports detailing complaints, violations, and enforcement actions - regardless of whether violations occurred. Local jurisdictions that fail to enforce standards or submit required reports face potential withholding of state shelter funding.

The Department of Housing and Community Development gains authority to pursue civil enforcement actions, and prevailing plaintiffs in legal challenges can recover attorney fees and costs. Cities under 100,000 residents may partner with counties to conduct required inspections. The bill maintains existing legal protections for local governments while adding mechanisms for emergency orders when dangerous conditions are found.