Department of social services’ response to certain severe winter weather conditions.
Where it stands: In the Committee on General Welfare; last step: general welfare postponed a decision on Oct 21, 2026.
- Introduced
- Committee hearing (current step)
- Committee vote
- Council vote
- Mayor
- Law
Official summary
This bill would require the Department of Social Services (DSS) to mitigate the impacts of severe weather conditions on unsheltered individuals through increased outreach to at-risk individuals and coordination with relevant agencies to deploy warming buses, facilitate transportation to shelter, and expand access to harm reduction facilities. This response would be triggered by forecasted temperatures of 20 degrees or below, among other conditions, within the following 24 hours, and would last for at least 24 hours after the condition has concluded. DSS would be required to submit a report to the Speaker prior to each winter month that: assesses the likelihood that the response will be triggered that month, details its response plan, and identifies available shelter facilities and potential capacity issues in the event of severe weather conditions. DSS would also be required to identify unsheltered individuals it believes may be at increased risk at the beginning of each winter season.
Timeline
- Thu, May 14, 2026Introduced in the CouncilFormally read into the record at a Stated Meeting.City Council: “Introduced by Council”
- Thu, May 14, 2026Sent to committeeAssigned to a committee, which must hold a hearing before any vote.City Council: “Referred to Comm by Council” · meeting
- Wed, Oct 21, 2026Public hearing: VeteransCouncil members heard testimony from the public and city agencies.Committee on Veterans: “Hearing Held by Committee” · meeting
- Wed, Oct 21, 2026Public hearing: General WelfareCouncil members heard testimony from the public and city agencies.Committee on General Welfare: “Hearing Held by Committee” · meeting
- Wed, Oct 21, 2026Veterans postponed a decisionNo vote yet; the item can come back at a later meeting.Committee on Veterans: “Laid Over by Committee” · meeting
- Wed, Oct 21, 2026General Welfare postponed a decisionNo vote yet; the item can come back at a later meeting.Committee on General Welfare: “Laid Over by Committee” · meeting
How members voted
No roll-call votes recorded yet.