California lawmakers pass bill protecting residents’ right to give food, water to unhoused people

The California Legislature approved a bill Wednesday that supporters say protects residents’ rights to give food or other support to unhoused people without fear of breaking the law.

Senate Bill 634, authored by state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, prohibits cities from enacting or enforcing laws that stop people from assisting unhoused residents with basic survival.

That includes providing food, water, bedding, shelter, medical help and legal services. The bill was co-sponsored by the Inner City Law Center, a legal services nonprofit based in L.A.'s Skid Row.

Local advocates for the unhoused say the new law will protect service providers and good Samaritans.

“ You can’t say that it's a crime to give somebody a bottle of water or food or to provide them with legal services or medical services