State House Passes Homeless Law

A controversial law that would make camping on public property a crime is now heading to Governor Bill Lee’s desk. Last night the house approved the senate version of a bill that would make it a class E felony to camp on public property…that would include putting up a tent or furniture, cooking, sleeping or starting a fire in overnight hours. The bill is designed to keep homeless people from setting up camps on public property. The bill made nationwide headlines when during a debate on the senate floor, state senator Frank Nicely of Strawberry Plains used Adolph Hitler as an example of someone who had risen out of homelessness…and made his way into the history books albeit in an infamous way. The bill passed by the house last night also makes it a misdemeanor to solicit near a highway. That bill now heads to governor Lee for his signature.