Bill > S0797

This bill updates the existing Homeless Bill of Rights by expanding protections and adding new provisions for individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill introduces two new rights: the right to live in clean and sanitary conditions, including access to trash receptacles and toilet facilities, and the right to collaborate with outreach and social workers. It also establishes new requirements for police and public works departments, mandating written policies that recognize the privacy rights of homeless individuals, particularly regarding their tents. The bill requires that before relocating an encampment on public property, authorities must provide 60 days' notice and work with social workers to provide reasonable relocation alternatives. Additionally, the bill introduces a penalty structure, imposing a $500 fine for each violation of the rights outlined in the chapter, with collected fines to be used for housing stabilization services or other homelessness-related issues. The bill allows individuals or organizations focused on civil liberties or combating homelessness to bring civil actions to enforce these provisions, and it provides for potential injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney's fees in such cases. The legislation aims to protect the rights, dignity, and basic living conditions of homeless individuals by creating more comprehensive legal safeguards.

Housing and Urban Affairs

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