Plain English Breakdown
The effective date is listed as empty in the official metadata.
AB-897: Removing Trespassers from Residential Property
This law creates a new crime called unlawful squatting for people who live on property without the owner's permission and requires police to issue citations when they receive complaints.
What This Bill Does
- Makes it a crime, known as unlawful squatting, to enter land or buildings and stay there without the knowledge or consent of the owner or rightful occupant.
- Requires law enforcement agencies to issue a citation if they receive a complaint about this violation.
- Allows the person accused to show proof that their entry was lawful.
- Orders courts to remove the person, charge fines, and treat it as a misdemeanor crime if the court finds their proof of lawful entry is improper or fraudulent.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who enter and stay on property without permission
- Property owners and rightful occupants
- Local law enforcement agencies that receive complaints
Terms To Know
- Unlawful squatting
- Entering land or buildings and staying there for any time without the owner's knowledge or consent.
- Misdemeanor
- A type of crime that can result in removal from property, fines, or other penalties as specified by this law.
- Citation
- An official notice issued by police when they receive a complaint about unlawful squatting.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify an effective date.
- Reimbursement for costs to local agencies depends on whether the Commission on State Mandates determines that state-mandated costs exist, as some mandates are excluded from reimbursement by this act.