(a) The Secretary of State shall designate state and local agencies and nonprofit agencies that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking as well as agencies that serve victims of elder or dependent adult abuse pursuant to the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 15600) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or elder or dependent adult abuse applying to be program participants. The Secretary of State shall conduct outreach activities to identify and recruit the agencies. Any assistance and counseling rendered by the office of the Secretary of State or its designees to applicants shall in no way be construed as legal advice.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 642, Sec. 8. (AB 243) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of July 1, 2024, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 9 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 642.)