CHAPTER 5. The Domestic Violence Shelter-Based Programs Act [18290. - 18309.5.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 5.
in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18290. Section 18290.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that there is a present and growing need to develop innovative strategies and services to ameliorate and reduce the trauma of domestic violence. There are hundreds of thousands of persons in California who are regularly abused. In many cases, the acts of domestic violence lead to the death of one of the involved parties. Victims of domestic violence come from all socioeconomic classes and ethnic groups, though it is the poor who suffer most from domestic violence, since they have no immediate access to private counseling and shelter for themselves and their children. Children, even when they are not physically assaulted, very often suffer deep and lasting emotional effects. The Legislature further finds and declares that there is a high incidence of death and injury sustained by law enforcement officers in the handling of domestic disturbances. Police arrests for domestic violence are low, and victims are reluctant to press charges or make citizen’s arrests. Furthermore, instances of domestic violence are considered to be the single most unreported crime in the state. It is the intent of the Legislature to begin to explore and determine ways of achieving reductions in serious and fatal injuries to the victims of domestic violence and begin to clarify the problems, causes, and cures of domestic violence. In order to achieve these results, it is the intent of the Legislature that the state shall support projects in several areas throughout the state for the purpose of aiding victims of domestic violence by providing them a place to escape the destructive environment in an undisclosed and secured location, on a 24-hour basis, where staff meet the requirements set forth in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code. It is further the intent of the Legislature to resolve conflicting interpretations as to whether county boards of supervisors have discretionary authority to fund nonshelter-based county domestic violence programs that lack any emergency or transitional shelter component, by restricting funding under this chapter to shelter-based domestic violence programs, as described in Sections 18294 and 18295. These clarifying and conforming changes are intended to be declaratory of existing law.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18291. Section 18291.

For purposes of this chapter: (a) “Domestic violence” means abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. (b) “Cohabitant” means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (1) Sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters. (2) Sharing of income or expenses. (3) Joint use or ownership of property. (4) Whether the parties hold themselves out as spouses. (5) The continuity of the relationship. (6) The length of the relationship. (c) “Domestic violence shelter” means a shelter for domestic violence victims that meets all of the following requirements: (1) Provides shelter in an undisclosed and secured location. (2) Provides staff that meet the requirements set forth in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code. (3) Meets the requirements set forth in Section 18294. (d) “Undisclosed” means a location that is not advertised or publicized.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18293. Section 18293.

(a) In order to be eligible for funding pursuant to this chapter, a domestic violence shelter-based program shall demonstrate its ability to receive and make use of any funds available from governmental, voluntary, philanthropic, or other sources that may be used to augment any state or county funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter. Each domestic violence shelter-based program shall make every attempt to qualify the domestic violence shelter-based program for any available federal funding. (b) No provision of this section is intended to prohibit domestic violence shelter-based programs receiving funds pursuant to this chapter from receiving additional funds from any other public or private source. Funds provided pursuant to this chapter shall not be used to reduce the financial support from other public or private sources. (c) Proposed or existing domestic violence shelter-based programs that meet the requirements set forth in Section 18294, shall receive funding pursuant to this chapter upon the approval of the local board of supervisors. (d) Funding shall be given to agencies and organizations whose primary function is to administer domestic violence shelter-based programs. Any additional fees received by Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, and the City of Berkeley at the time of issuance of a marriage license pursuant to Sections 18308, 18309, 18309.5, and 18309.6 that are in excess of the twenty-three dollar ($23) fee collected pursuant to this act, shall be available to that city or county for funding domestic violence programs other than domestic violence shelter-based programs. (e) Prior to approving a domestic violence shelter-based program or programs for this funding, the board shall consult with individuals and groups that have expertise in the problems of domestic violence and in the operation of domestic violence shelter-based programs including operations of existing domestic violence shelter-based programs. (f) Upon approving one or more domestic violence shelter-based programs for funding, the board shall direct the county treasurer to disburse moneys from the county’s domestic violence shelter-based program special fund and for funding, the board shall designate a local agency to monitor the domestic violence shelter-based program or programs. This monitoring shall include information regarding the number of persons requesting services, the number of persons receiving services according to the type of services provided, and the need, if any, for additional services or staffing. (g) Programs that receive funding through this chapter shall, to the extent feasible, provide services to persons with a physical disability who are victims of domestic violence. If the program cannot provide the services, then the program’s staff, to the extent feasible, shall assist in referring the person with a physical disability to other programs and services in the community where assistance may be obtained. (h) The process to determine eligibility of a domestic violence shelter-based program to receive funding pursuant to this chapter shall have as its primary purpose to ascertain that the program meets the service requirements of Section 18294. The process shall be expedient and shall include a mechanism for annual recertification. (i) Funding obtained pursuant to this chapter is for the unrestricted use of a recipient domestic violence shelter-based program, and may be used for direct and indirect costs.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18294. Section 18294.

Domestic violence shelter-based programs shall provide all of the following basic services to victims of domestic violence and their children: (a) Shelter on a 24 hours a day, seven days a week basis. (b) A 24 hours a day, seven days a week telephone hotline for crisis calls. (c) Temporary housing and food facilities. (d) Psychological support and peer counseling provided in accordance with Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code. (e) Referrals to existing services in the community. (f) A drop-in center that operates during normal business hours to assist victims of domestic violence who have a need for support services. (g) Arrangements for schoolage children to continue their education during their stay at the domestic violence shelter-based program. (h) Emergency transportation as feasible.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18295. Section 18295.

In addition to the services required in Section 18294, to the extent possible, and in conjunction with already existing community services, the domestic violence shelter-based programs shall provide a method of obtaining the following services for the victims of domestic violence: (a) Medical care. (b) Legal assistance. (c) Psychological support and counseling. (d) Information regarding other available social services.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18296. Section 18296.

The staff of the domestic violence shelter-based program shall work with social service agencies, schools, and law enforcement agencies in an advocacy capacity for those served by the domestic violence shelter-based programs.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18297. Section 18297.

The staff of each domestic violence shelter-based program shall attempt to achieve community support and acceptance of the program by advocating the program to community representatives and groups within the community. Volunteers shall be trained and used to maximum capacity in the delivery of services. Staff and volunteers shall meet the training requirements set forth in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18298. Section 18298.

Inasmuch as domestic violence shelter-based programs are to serve a variety of cultural backgrounds, to the extent feasible, a portion of the domestic violence shelter-based program’s personnel shall be bilingual. An effort shall be made to recruit formerly battered persons as staff members.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18300. Section 18300.

An annual report shall be prepared by each domestic violence shelter-based program for submission to the county board of supervisors. The report shall be made available to the public upon request, and shall include all of the following elements: (a) The total number of persons requesting services of the domestic violence shelter-based programs. (b) The number of persons served in the domestic violence shelter-based program, by each type of service provided. (c) A description of the social and economic characteristics of persons receiving services, by type of service provided.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18301. Section 18301.

In addition to any other provisions of law concerning the confidentiality of personal information collected by domestic violence shelters, a county shall not require a domestic violence shelter-based program to provide any information not enumerated in Section 18300, or require the disclosure of any information pertaining to the confidential location of a domestic violence shelter-based program or the location or identity of any shelter resident, employee, or volunteer. A county shall not require a method of data collection or recording, or impose any other requirement, that is inconsistent with the federal Violence Against Women Act (18 U.S.C. Sec. 2261 et seq.).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18304. Section 18304.

A county may establish a program for reducing the incidence of domestic violence in the county by establishing or funding domestic violence shelter-based programs that meet the requirements of this chapter. Geographically adjacent counties may combine their respective domestic violence shelter-based programs special funds in order to establish one or more domestic violence shelter-based programs meeting the requirements of this chapter, in order to provide services to the clients of each county that combines its funds with another county.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18305. Section 18305.

(a) At the time of issuance of a marriage license pursuant to Section 26840 of the Government Code, twenty-three dollars ($23) of each fee paid shall be collected by the county clerk for deposit into the county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund. The fees collected in this special fund shall be disbursed to approved domestic violence shelter-based programs on a yearly or more frequent basis commencing July 1, 1980. The funds shall be disbursed using a request for qualification (RFQ) process. (b) The board of supervisors shall direct the county clerk to deposit twenty-three dollars ($23) of each fee into the county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund. The county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund shall fund domestic violence shelter-based programs established pursuant to Section 18304. Four dollars ($4) of each twenty-three dollars ($23) deposited into the county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund shall be used, to the extent feasible, to support or expand domestic violence shelter-based programs to target underserved areas and populations. No more than 8 percent of the funds shall be expended for the administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional marriage license fees, administration of the county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund, monitoring of the domestic violence shelter-based programs, and meeting the other administrative requirements imposed by this chapter. Counties that do not participate in the establishing or funding of domestic violence shelter-based programs pursuant to this chapter shall be entitled to retain up to 4 percent of the funds for the administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional marriage license fees and the deposit of these fees in the county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund. (c) The board of supervisors of a county may request, on not more than a quarterly basis, an accounting of the special fund, which shall include all of the following: (1) The balance of the special fund at the beginning of the request period. (2) Deposits into the special fund in the request period, including a clear breakdown of funds deposited as a result of marriage license fees, funds deposited as a result of the collection of domestic violence probation fees, and funds deposited from other sources. (3) Disbursements from the fund during the request period. (4) The fund balance at the end of the request period.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18305.5. Section 18305.5.

Notwithstanding the availability of funds in either the county domestic violence programs special fund, or the availability of community resources, the county may finance domestic violence shelter-based programs as described in Sections 18294 and 18295.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18306. Section 18306.

The county board of supervisors shall consult with the local regional domestic violence coalition, consisting of representatives from existing domestic violence shelter-based programs, in planning for the establishment of a new domestic violence shelter-based program or for ongoing technical assistance for domestic violence shelter-based programs already in the county.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18307. Section 18307.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 18305, a county may carry over funds deposited in a county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund until the time that a domestic violence shelter-based program is established to serve the needs of domestic violence victims of the county. Records of these funds shall be available for public review upon request. (b) Funds deposited in a county domestic violence shelter-based programs special fund may be used only to finance all, or one or more, basic services specified in Section 18294. This subdivision is declaratory of existing law. These funds shall be used for shelter services, and may be used for direct or indirect costs.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18308. Section 18308.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors shall direct the local registrar, county recorder, and county clerk to deposit fees collected pursuant to Section 103626 of the Health and Safety Code into a special fund. The county may retain up to 4 percent of the fund for administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional fees and the deposit of these fees into the special fund. Proceeds from the fund shall be used for governmental oversight and coordination of domestic violence and family violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution efforts among the court system, the district attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, law enforcement, the probation department, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare services, adult protective services, and community-based organizations and other agencies working in Contra Costa County in order to increase the effectiveness of prevention, early intervention, and prosecution of domestic and family violence.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18309. Section 18309.

(a) The Alameda County Board of Supervisors shall direct the local registrar, county recorder, and county clerk to deposit fees collected pursuant to Section 26840.10 of the Government Code and Section 103627 of the Health and Safety Code into a special fund. The county may retain up to 4 percent of the fund for administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional fees and the deposit of these fees into the special fund. Proceeds from the fund shall be used for governmental oversight and coordination of domestic violence and family violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution efforts among the court system, the district attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, law enforcement, the probation department, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare services, adult protective services, and community-based organizations and other agencies working in Alameda County in order to increase the effectiveness of prevention, early intervention, and prosecution of domestic and family violence. (b) The City Council of the City of Berkeley shall direct the local registrar to deposit fees collected pursuant to Section 103627 of the Health and Safety Code into a special fund. The city may retain up to 4 percent of the fund for administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional fees and the deposit of these fees into the special fund. Proceeds from the fund shall be used for governmental oversight and coordination of domestic violence and family violence prevention and intervention efforts, including law enforcement, mental health, public health, substance abuse, victim advocacy, community education, and housing, in order to increase the effectiveness of prevention, early intervention, and prosecution of domestic and family violence.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18309.5. Section 18309.5.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors shall direct the local registrar, county recorder, and county clerk to deposit fees collected pursuant to Section 26840.11 of the Government Code and Section 103628 of the Health and Safety Code into a special fund. The county may retain up to 4 percent of the fund for administrative costs associated with the collection and segregation of the additional fees and the deposit of these fees into the special fund. Proceeds from the fund shall be used for governmental oversight and coordination of domestic violence and family violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution efforts among the court system, the district attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, law enforcement, the probation department, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare services, adult protective services, and community-based organizations and other agencies working in Solano County in order to increase the effectiveness of prevention, early intervention, and prosecution of domestic and family violence.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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