HB 2718 Summary

• Establishes a Homeless Persons' Bill of Rights protecting homeless individuals from discrimination in public spaces, employment, medical care, voting, and privacy of personal records, with provisions for attorney fees in civil violations.

• Creates statewide eviction diversion and prevention program through the Administrative Office of the Courts providing tenant education, legal assistance, and help accessing social services and rental assistance.

• Prohibits criminal charges for sitting, sleeping, or lying on public property if the person is homeless and no shelter space is available.

• Appropriates $50 million for affordable housing pilot program, $150 million for sanctioned housing and homeless outreach teams, $290 million for rental assistance (including $10 million for seniors), and $6 million for eviction diversion programs.

• Authorizes grants for sanctioned housing sites, multidisciplinary outreach teams, mental health/substance abuse shelters, community homeless courts, and first responder teams to address homelessness with specific reduction goals for unsheltered populations.