2. a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, an emergency shelter for the homeless shall not refuse to provide shelter, or food and shelter, for a minimum of 72 hours, to an individual or family seeking these services, unless the shelter is at its licensed capacity or the basis for refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation.

b. In the event of an emergency condition, an emergency shelter for the homeless, which has been authorized by a public officer of a municipality or the Department of Community Affairs to provide shelter, or food and shelter, to a specified number of individuals in excess of its licensed capacity because of emergency conditions, shall not refuse to provide shelter, or food and shelter, for a minimum of 24 hours from the commencement of the emergency condition or for the duration of the emergency condition, whichever is longer, to an individual or family seeking these services, unless the shelter is at its licensed capacity plus any authorized excess capacity or the basis for refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation.

L.2013, c.204, s.2.