An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to end the practice of criminalizing homelessness in Massachusetts. It seeks to remove laws that penalize individuals experiencing homelessness for activities like sleeping in public, camping, or loitering. The legislation intends to shift the focus from criminalizing homelessness to providing supportive services and addressing the root causes of housing instability. By ending criminalization, the bill hopes to reduce the negative consequences faced by people experiencing homelessness.
Key provisions
- Prohibits municipalities from imposing criminal penalties for sleeping in public places.
- Prevents criminal charges for camping on public property.
- Restricts the use of fines and other punitive measures against individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Encourages the development of supportive services for homeless individuals.
- Supports efforts to increase access to affordable housing.
- Addresses the underlying causes of homelessness.
- Removes criminalization of activities related to homelessness.
Who is affected
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Municipalities in Massachusetts
- Regional government entities
- Law enforcement agencies
- Advocacy groups for the homeless
Notable changes
- Eliminates criminal penalties for common behaviors associated with homelessness.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
3 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
James K. Hawkins
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