Welfare and Institutions Code section 18291
(a)
“Domestic violence” means abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship.(b)
“Cohabitant” means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to, all of the following:(1)
Sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters.(2)
Sharing of income or expenses.(3)
Joint use or ownership of property.(4)
Whether the parties hold themselves out as spouses.(5)
The continuity of the relationship.(6)
The length of the relationship.(c)
“Domestic violence shelter” means a shelter for domestic violence victims that meets all of the following requirements:(1)
Provides shelter in an undisclosed and secured location.(2)
Provides staff that meet the requirements set forth in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code.(3)
Meets the requirements set forth in Section 18294.(d)
“Undisclosed” means a location that is not advertised or publicized.
Source:
Section 18291, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC§ionNum=18291. (updated Jan. 1, 2017; accessed Jun. 30, 2025).
