CA AB271

Counties may establish homeless death review committees to identify root causes of death among homeless individuals and improve coordination of services for the homeless population.

Counties may develop protocols to guide persons performing autopsies on homeless individuals to assist in identifying the cause and mode of death.

Communications and documents produced by or shared within homeless death review committees are confidential and not subject to disclosure or discovery by third parties, except that committee recommendations may be disclosed at the discretion of a majority of committee members.

Organizations on the committee may voluntarily share medical records, mental health information, criminal history, probation information, social services data, and other specified information with committee members, notwithstanding standard confidentiality laws and professional privileges.

Information gathered by the committee shall be used by the county to develop education and prevention strategies for improved coordination of homeless services.