CHICO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new bill Tuesday aimed to help homeless people more easily obtain documents for emotional support dogs, a requirement for some homeless shelters.

Existing law states that a client-provider relationship must be established for at least 30 days before a doctor can provide certification for an emotional support dog.

The new bill, Senate Bill 774, removes the 30-day relationship requirement in order to obtain the certification for an emotional support dog for people who are verified to be homeless — removing a barrier to shelter for unhoused people unwilling to choose shelter over keeping their pets.

“Their dog means safety for them. When they’ve been living in public spaces, they develop a bond and a relationship and they become akin to their family,” Jesus Center Executive Director Amber Abney-Bass said. “Asking them to be removed from their pet or choose between their pet and shelter… it’s not surprising they would choose out of shelter in those moments.”

Two shelters in Chico currently accept pets and emotional support dogs; the Torres Community Shelter and Chico’s Pallet shelter.

The Pallet shelters can accommodate people with up to two pets and has a pet yard; and the Torres Community Shelter allows up to one pet.

Abney-Bass said that during a shelter assessment, people with an excessive amount of pets are referred to stay at the city’s alternative campsites.

Having a pet can also be a barrier in renting houses.

Chico Housing Action Team Executive Director Leslie Johnson said people coming to CHAT’s program sometimes have pets and try their best to comply with any laws relating to pets.

Johnson said CHAT rents from property owners and refers to the owner’s requirements regarding pets.

“To the extent that we’re able to, we try to allow pets because we understand how important pets are to people,” Johnson said. “That companionship they rely on is vital to their emotional and mental wellbeing.”

Abney-Bass said the Jesus Center’s Sabbath House doesn’t allow pets, but it allows service animals.

The category of pets, which include emotional support animals, aren’t required for congregate shelters in part because of insurance costs, Abney-Bass said. But service animals — animals that provide a distinct service defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act — are allowed although they must be leashed and meet behavior standards.

While the Jesus Center’s Sabbath House doesn’t take pets, Abney-Bass said the Renewal Center, opening in summer 2023, is designed to take pets as a non-congregate type shelter, which will be the third shelter in Chico to allow pets.