The California State Senate's Human Services Committee convened on June 30, 2025, to discuss two significant bills aimed at addressing pressing social issues, particularly homelessness.

The first bill, AB 346, received unanimous support from committee members and various county representatives. This legislation aims to enhance technical assistance provided by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to families in need. During the meeting, multiple representatives from counties including Riverside, Ventura, Alameda, and Los Angeles expressed their support, highlighting the bill's potential to improve services for vulnerable populations. Notably, there was no opposition registered against AB 346, indicating a strong consensus on its importance. The committee voted to pass the bill to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

The second bill, AB 654, presented by Assemblymember Lee, seeks to establish a dedicated telephone system in Los Angeles County to assist individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The bill addresses the inadequacies of existing systems like 211 and 311, which are overwhelmed by high call volumes and unable to provide timely assistance for urgent homelessness-related needs. Assemblymember Lee emphasized the critical situation in Los Angeles, where over 75,000 individuals are currently homeless, and the necessity for a specialized hotline to connect these individuals with essential services.

Support for AB 654 was echoed by various stakeholders, including Paul Asplund Durrani, a direct service provider who shared personal experiences highlighting the urgency of the issue. He noted that the current referral systems often fail to connect individuals to necessary services, leading to dire consequences for those in need. However, the bill faced some opposition from committee members concerned about potential duplication of services and the need for adequate funding for existing systems like 211.

Despite the concerns raised, the committee ultimately voted to pass AB 654 to the Local Government Committee for further review. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges California faces in addressing homelessness and the need for innovative solutions to improve service delivery for vulnerable populations.