The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee will consider SB 89 on Wednesday at 9 a.m., and we need your voice to help stop this bill. Tell your representative to oppose SB 89.

This bill would allow police to arrest people for loitering if they remain within 30 feet of a controlled highway exit. This could result in targeted harassment of unhoused people by police. And because homelessness disproportionately affects people of color, this bill unfortunately could perpetuate the historical use of loitering statutes for targeted harassment of racial minorities.

Further, the fines under this statute would be a huge burden for someone experiencing homelessness. The first offense would carry a penalty up to $200, totaling $356 with court fees. Later offenses would cost up to $500, totaling $656 with court fees. And this bill could even result in jail time, with convictions after the first classified as Class C misdemeanors. Because this bill would have the effect of punishing people for being unhoused, it likely would be challenged in court. That means this bill also would cost our state money in litigation expenses.

Your representative needs to hear from you that you oppose SB 89, and they should, too. Email your representative now about this harmful bill.