HB 261 Summary

• Creates new offense of "loitering on public property" making it a petty misdemeanor to remain in a 500 square yard area on public property for more than 2 hours between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

• Establishes homeless case management system where persons convicted of loitering without committing other crimes are placed under court supervision and referred to case management services.

• Expands criminal trespass in the first degree to include unlawfully entering or remaining on public property after police warning, or after three prior petty misdemeanor loitering convictions.

• Creates homeless case management special fund within state treasury administered by the judiciary, funded through legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and investment earnings.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts from general revenues to the homeless case management special fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to operate the program.

• Takes effect July 1, 2025.