IN SB0285

Prohibits camping, sleeping, or using state or political subdivision land for long-term shelter unless authorized by law, with violations constituting a Class C misdemeanor after a 48-hour warning period within a 300-foot radius of the original warning location

Requires law enforcement to first assess whether emergency mental health detention is warranted before enforcing the camping prohibition, and to provide warnings with shelter/service information for first-time violations

Expands the definition of "gravely disabled" for mental illness commitment purposes to include individuals lacking fixed shelter who remain outdoors in dangerous weather conditions after refusing available shelter or mental health services

Prohibits political subdivisions from adopting policies that discourage enforcement of public camping or sidewalk obstruction ordinances, while still allowing diversion programs and housing-first alternatives

Requires annual reporting from Continuum of Care funding recipients on efforts to reduce unsheltered homelessness, and from local law enforcement agencies on street camping citations and arrests to state police, effective July 1, 2026