California Assembly Bill AB790

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 3/28/25
• Report Pass: 3/28/25
• Refer: 4/1/25
• Report Pass: 4/23/25
• Refer: 4/24/25
• Report Pass: 4/30/25
• Refer: 4/30/25
• Report Pass: 5/1/25
• Refer: 5/6/25
• Refer: 5/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/23/25
• Engrossed: 6/2/25
• Refer: 6/3/25
• Refer: 6/11/25
• Report Pass: 7/1/25
• Refer: 7/1/25
• Report Pass: 7/16/25
• Refer: 7/16/25
• Refer: 8/18/25
• Report Pass: 8/29/25
• Enrolled: 9/4/25
• Chaptered: 10/10/25
• Passed: 10/10/25

Caption

Homelessness: single women with children.

Impact

The implications of AB 790 extend into how local governments will approach the issue of homelessness within their jurisdictions. As of January 1, 2024, entities will be required to not only include but also adequately address the needs of families, particularly women with children, domestic violence survivors, and unaccompanied women. This creates a new localized focus within state-mandated programs that must be met alongside existing homelessness initiatives, potentially increasing the funding requirements and operational burdens on local governments if they achieve compliance with the outlined regulations.

Summary

Assembly Bill No. 790, approved on October 10, 2025, amends sections of the Welfare and Institutions Code regarding homelessness, particularly focusing on single women with children and domestic violence survivors. The bill mandates that cities, counties, and continuums of care receiving state funding prepare to include these groups as vulnerable populations requiring targeted support. It sets forth a framework for developing specific analyses and goals with victim service providers to effectively address their needs, ensuring that data measures not integrated within existing systems capture their unique challenges.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding AB 790 appeared to be positive, as it underscores a commitment to address some of the most vulnerable populations affected by homelessness. Advocacy groups focusing on women's rights and domestic violence services expressed support, viewing the bill as a necessary enhancement to existing welfare provisions. However, some concerns were raised about the financial implications for local agencies, who may face increased responsibility without guaranteed funding, sparking a discussion about the feasibility of implementing these changes effectively.

Contention

One notable point of contention was regarding the responsibility of local agencies. By mandating the inclusion of specific populations in their homelessness strategies, AB 790 introduces a concept of reimbursing local governments for the additional financial burdens that may arise from these new requirements. This requirement could lead to challenges in ensuring that local bodies can manage the necessary analyses, reach out to victim service providers, and integrate a cross-systems approach to effectively address the unique circumstances of these groups.