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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 9Pt. 6Ch. 8Art. 1§ 18451 Emergency Relief Activation Rules

§ 18451 Emergency Relief Activation Rules

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18451 Emergency Relief Activation Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •This law is usually turned off and does nothing until there's a big money problem in the state.
  • •A big money problem means lots of people are struggling and need help fast.
  • •The state leaders (Senate, Assembly, and Governor) must all agree and say there's a big money problem before this law can be used.
  • •Once they agree, the law turns on and can be used to help people.

Example

Imagine a huge storm destroys many homes and jobs, and people can't buy food or pay rent.

The law is normally asleep, but if the leaders see this big problem and agree it's an emergency, they can wake up the law to help people get money or food.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18451 Emergency Relief Activation Rules

The provisions of this chapter (except the provisions of this section) are suspended and continue suspended from operation until the occurrence of an economic emergency in this state, which results from widespread hardship and destitution and necessitates immediate action for the relief of such hardship and destitution. No act shall be done nor power be exercised nor money be expended under or pursuant to such provisions until the occurrence of such an economic emergency has been determined as provided in this section. Ascertainment and determination of the fact of the occurrence of such an economic emergency is committed to the Senate and Assembly and to the Governor. If and when the Senate and Assembly, by concurrent resolution filed with the Secretary of State, find and declare, and the Governor, by his proclamation filed with the Secretary of State, finds and declares, that there exists an economic emergency in this state, which results from widespread hardship and destitution and necessitates immediate action for the relief of such hardship and destitution (the resolution and the proclamation, respectively, to contain a statement of the facts upon which the finding is based), such an economic emergency is determined to have occurred and to exist, and thenceforth all of the provisions of this chapter are fully operative. (Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

resolutionhardshipdestitutiongovernorcrisisterminationemergencysecretary

Related Statutes

  • § 18456 Public Assistance Relief Definition
  • § 14005.255 Continuous Medi-Cal Eligibility
  • § 14011.2 Medi-Cal Social Security Requirement
  • § 14199.101 Health Care Investment Protection
  • § 207 Minor Detention Restrictions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 18451.
View Official Source