AB 1733 (Quirk-Silva, Atkins, Maienschein)Fee Waiver for People Experiencing Homelessness

SummaryThis bill establishes a fee waiver for people experiencing homelessness that need to obtain a certified copy of their birth record or state-issued photo identification.

BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness rely on access to government programs and social services in order to obtain housing, employment, nutrition, health services, education, public assistance and other benefits. Nearly every state and federal program providing these services requires an applicant establish eligibility by producing proof of identity and/or proof of residence. The most common documents required are a certified birth record and a valid, government-issued photo identification card.

ProblemMany people experiencing homelessness lack the necessary forms of personal identification needed to establish their eligibility for the various public assistance and social programs previously mentioned. The most common forms of identification that people experiencing homelessness need in order to access these programs are birth records and government-issued photo identification. The Department of Public Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles both charge fees to obtain certified

copies of vital records and government-issued photo identification, respectively. For many people experiencing homelessness, the fees levied are a cost-prohibitive barrier to the legal documents they need to access programs that could help end their homelessness.

SolutionThis bill would require each county registrar or recorder to issue, without a fee, a certificate of live birth and requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue, without a fee, an identification card to applicants who can provide sufficient proof of their housing status as homeless. Providing a process by which these fees can be waived will reduce the time that people experiencing homelessness rely on costly emergency services; will expedite and enhance the efficiency of government and non-profit advocates working to connect people experiencing homelessness to existing programs that can meet their needs; will dignify and show support to people working toward ending their homelessness; and create long-term savings to state and county emergency service.

Staff Daniel Carroll, Daniel.Carroll@asm.ca.gov(916) 319-2065

Support

STATE CAPITOLP.O. BOX 942849

SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0065(916) 319-2065

FAX (916) 319-2165

SHARON QUIRK-SILVAASSEMBLYMEMBER, SIXTY- FIFTH DISTRICT

DISTRICT OFFICE1400 N. HARBOR BLVD., SUITE 601

FULLERTON, CA 92835(714) 526-7272

FAX (714) 526-7278

Housing California (Sponsor)California State Association of Counties (CSAC)California Police Chiefs AssociationLos Angeles Area Chamber of CommerceUnited Way of Greater Los AngelesUnited Way of Silicon ValleySkid Row Housing TrustCity and County of San FranciscoCounty of Santa ClaraCounty Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA)California Mental Health Directors Association (CMHDA)National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California ChapterCalifornia Mental Health Planning CouncilService Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000Western Center on Law and PovertyLaw Foundation of Silicon ValleyProject Homeless Connect (PHC)People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)General Assistance Advocacy Project (GAAP)American Legion, Dept. of CaliforniaAMVETS, Dept. of CaliforniaCalifornia Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO)California State Commanders Veterans CouncilMilitary Officers Association of America, California Council ChaptersVeterans of Foreign Wars, Dept. of CaliforniaSwords to PlowsharesCalifornia Coalition for YouthAspiranetFirst Place for YouthLarkin Street Youth ServicesSan Luis Obispo County Office of Education

Yolo County Office of EducationMarin Partnership to End HomelessnessKern County Homeless Collaborative (KCHC)Sonoma County Task Force for the HomelessYolo County Continuum of CareKings/Tulare Continuum of CareCorporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)Century HousingEAH HousingLINC HousingMammoth Lakes Housing, Inc.San Diego Housing FederationSan Diego Housing CommissionSan Diego Hunger CoalitionSt. Vincent DePaul – Father Joe’s VillagesSt. Mary’s CenterWomanhaven, Inc.Home StartPathways of HopeCentral Coast HIV/AIDS ServicesSacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness (SCREH)Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee (SHOC)Sacramento Housing Alliance (SHA)Sacramento LGBT Community CenterSacramento Homeless Youth Task ForceCalifornia Church IMPACTCottage Housing, Inc.Compass Family ServicesLoaves & FishesRiver City Food BankParatransitNorthern Circle Indian Housing AuthorityScotts Valley Band of Pomo IndiansSherwood Valley Band of Pomo IndiansHoopa Valley TribeRedwood Children Services, Inc.Project SanctuaryPlowshares

Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Inc.California Communities United Institute