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NY S04885
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/13/2025
Primary Sponsor
Leroy Comrie
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes protected rights for homeless individuals including free movement in public spaces, use of public transportation, occupying legally parked vehicles, soliciting donations, and equal treatment by government agencies
- Prohibits harassment, citation, fines, or arrest by law enforcement, security personnel, public employees, or private citizens for exercising these protected rights
- Guarantees rights to medical and dental care, voting without a permanent address, privacy in personal property, and protection from discrimination in housing and employment
- Creates a "bill of benefits" providing free postal addresses and access to legal services to protect against rights violations
- Requires the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to publish a pamphlet of these rights in English and the eight most common non-English languages, distributed through shelters, drop-in centers, and transitional housing
- Allows aggrieved persons to bring legal action seeking damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees for violations
- Takes effect 90 days after becoming law
Legislative Description
Establishes a bill of rights for the unhoused; provides that no person shall be denied certain rights because of a state of homelessness nor shall such persons be harassed, cited, fined, or arrested by law enforcement, security personnel, public employees, or private citizens for the exercise of certain rights; describes rights; provides for a bill of benefits of the unhoused for the free provision of a postal address and the right to juridical services to ensure protection from the violation of their protected rights; requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to create a pamphlet of such rights; makes related provisions.
Last Action
REFERRED TO CODES
1/7/2026
Committee Referrals
Codes2/13/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available