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Chapter 7.8. Shelter Crisis of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 2. >> Chapter 7.8.

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
  (a) "Political subdivision" includes the state, any city, city and county, county, special district, or school district or public agency authorized by law.
  (b) "Governing body" means the following:
  (1) The Governor for the state.
  (2) The legislative body for a city or city and county.
  (3) The board of supervisors for a county.
  (4) The governing board or board of trustees for a district or other public agency.
  (5) An official designated by ordinance or resolution adopted by a governing body, as defined in paragraph (2), (3), or (4).
  (c) "Public facility" means any facility of a political subdivision including parks, schools, and vacant or underutilized facilities which are owned, operated, leased, or maintained, or any combination thereof, by the political subdivision through money derived by taxation or assessment.
  (d) "Declaration of a shelter crisis" means the duly proclaimed existence of a situation in which a significant number of persons are without the ability to obtain shelter, resulting in a threat to their health and safety.
Upon a declaration of a shelter crisis, the following provisions shall apply during the period of the emergency.
  (a) The political subdivision shall be immune from liability for ordinary negligence in the provision of emergency housing pursuant to Section 8698.2. This limitation of liability shall apply only to conditions, acts, or omissions directly related to, and which would not occur but for, the provision of emergency housing. This section does not limit liability for grossly negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct which causes injury.
  (b) The provisions of any state or local regulatory statute, regulation, or ordinance prescribing standards of housing, health, or safety shall be suspended to the extent that strict compliance would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the shelter crisis. Political subdivisions may, in place of such standards, enact municipal health and safety standards to be operative during the housing emergency consistent with ensuring minimal public health and safety. The provisions of this section apply only to additional public facilities open to the homeless pursuant to this chapter.
(a) (1) The governing body may declare a shelter crisis, and may take such action as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, upon a finding by that governing body that a significant number of persons within the jurisdiction of the governing body are without the ability to obtain shelter, and that the situation has resulted in a threat to the health and safety of those persons.
  (2) For purposes of this chapter, the governing body of the state, in making a declaration of a shelter crisis pursuant to paragraph (1), may limit that declaration to any geographical portion of the state.
  (b) Upon a declaration of a shelter crisis pursuant to subdivision (a), the political subdivision may allow persons unable to obtain housing to occupy designated public facilities during the duration of the state of emergency.