SB 448, THE TRESPASSING RESPONSE AND REMEDIES ACT, PASSES OUT OFTHE SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Backed by a Coalition of Public Safety, Housing, and Community Organizations, SB 448 aims to Protect Property Owners and Renters from Unlawful Trespassers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senate Bill (SB) 448 (Umberg), also known as the Trespassing Response and Remedies Act, continues to gain momentum as it was approved today with unanimous support from the members of the Senate Public Safety Committee.
The California Rental Housing Association (CalRHA) is joined by a broad coalition of public safety organizations in thanking Senator Arreguin (D – Berkeley), Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Committee members, and SB 448’s author Senator Umberg for their leadership in advancing this critical legislation.
Over 35 organizations have supported SB 448 to date, including numerous law enforcement, public safety, housing, and community organizations. These groups recognize that unlawful trespassing can escalate into hazardous situations, putting property owners, tenants, and first responders at risk.
Public safety officials have voiced the risks posed by illegal trespassers, who often exploit legal loopholes to remain on properties unlawfully. Fire hazards, criminal activity, and unsafe living conditions are just a few of the issues we see when unauthorized occupants take over properties. SB 448 ensures that public safety agencies have the necessary tools to protect residents and prevent neighborhoods from being destabilized by unlawful trespassing. By streamlining the process for law enforcement to take action, SB 448 provides critical tools to remove unauthorized occupants and deter future trespassing.
“Illegal trespassing is not just a property rights issue—it’s a public safety issue,” said Senator Tom Umberg (D - Santa Ana). “We have heard from law enforcement agencies, firefighters, and other first responders who see the dangers of illegal squatting every day. This legislation provides them with a clear framework to intervene while maintaining critical protections for renters.”
With illegal trespassing and squatting incidents on the rise across California, SB 448 delivers much-needed solutions to safeguard property owners and renters while reinforcing public safety.
“In the past month, we’ve seen overwhelming support for SB 448 from public safety leaders and organizations across the state,” said Adam Pearce, President, CalRHA. “This bill is about more than protecting property rights — it’s about keeping communities safe and ensuring rightful property owners can reclaim their homes efficiently and fairly. Our coalition is united in tackling this urgent issue head-on.”
About the California Rental Housing Association
The California Rental Housing Association represents 15,000 members totaling more than 733,000+ units, made up of small, medium, and large rental housing owners throughout the State of California. Our purpose is to advocate for the best interests of the rental housing industry and collectively address industry needs.
Media Contact: Keegan Coleman, (714) 916-2546, keegan@elevatepublicaffairs.com
