Senate passes bill to protect political free speech rights of HOA residents

Sacramento – The California Senate tonight approved a bill by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) to enhance protection of political free speech rights for residents living in the state’s 52,000 common interest developments and 5,000 mobile home parks.  SB 407 targets abusive practices that curtail the residents’ abilities to assemble and communicate on political issues.  It was approved without opposition and now heads to the Assembly. 

“SB 407 prevents homeowner association (HOA) boards from denying basic political free speech rights to millions of Californians who live in these communities,” said Wieckowski, a member of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.  “It is wrong to prohibit residents from going door to door to speak to their neighbors about issues that affect the HOA or the local community.  People are being fined and threatened with legal action just for trying to raise awareness about voting rights within their complexes.”…

“SB 407 is a common sense measure with bipartisan support that guarantees First Amendment rights for residents of common interest developments and mobile home parks,” said Amie Fishman, executive director of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California.  “All California residents should have their political speech protected regardless of where they happen to live.”

Click here to read more.