California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 50801.5

(a) The department shall adopt regulations for the administration of the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program. The regulations shall govern the equitable distribution of funds in accordance with the intent and provisions of this chapter, and shall ensure that the program is administered in an effective and efficient manner. The regulations shall provide for reasonable delegation of authority to designated local boards, ensure that local priorities and criteria are reasonably designed to address the needs of homeless people, and ensure that designated local boards meet reasonable standards of inclusiveness, accountability, nondiscrimination, and integrity.

(b) The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall ensure that emergency shelter and services will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis for whatever time periods are established by the shelter. No individual or household may be denied shelter or services because of an inability to pay. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to preclude a shelter from accepting payment vouchers provided through any other public or private program so long as no shelter beds are reserved beyond sundown for that purpose. Notwithstanding Section 11135 of the Government Code or any other provision of law, nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a provider of emergency shelter or transitional housing from restricting occupancy on the basis of any of the following: