California bill seeks to ban homeless encampments

Published



A new bipartisan bill could ban homeless encampments near “sensitive community areas” in California if shelters are available.

Proposed earlier this month by state Sens. Brian Jones, a Republican, and Catherine Blakespear, a Democrat, the goal of Senate Bill 1011 is to curb the homeless crisis in California. The legislation would prohibit homeless individuals from “sitting, lying, sleeping or storing, using, maintaining or placing personal property upon a street or sidewalk,” and if camping within 500 feet of a public or private school, open space, or major transit stop, according to the bill. If a person is found violating the law, they could receive a misdemeanor or infraction.

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