Legislation in the Senate that would create a Class C Misdemeanor for sleeping outside (SB 285 authored by Sen. Cyndi Carrasco) is now one step closer to becoming law.

Some legislators may say this bill does not criminalize homelessness or disrupt partnerships to connect people without shelter to resources in lieu of arrest. However, the text of the bill says otherwise, and it provides no new housing, services, or funding to support providers in carrying out that work. Local governments could also be subject to lawsuits if they are perceived as inadequately enforcing this law. A misdemeanor doesn't help someone find stable housing, and Indiana's service providers deserve better than an unfunded mandate.

ACTION ALERT: Call and write your Senators and tell them to NOT ALLOW SB 285 TO PASS THE SENATE as long as the Class C misdemeanor is included!

Tell Your Senator What SB285 Would Do

• Make Hoosiers sleeping outside guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and subject to arrest and incarceration
• Allow the State Attorney General, private citizens, and businesses to sue cities and towns for perceived insufficient enforcement of the bill
• While the bill nominally supports diversion programs and service referrals in lieu of arrest, it provides NO actual resources to these service providers to allow them to do their work
• Unlike prior versions, SB 285 states an individual sleeping outside is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor even if there are no services or shelters to connect that individual to in the area

Tell Your Senator How SB 285 Would Harm ALICE Hoosiers and Our Communities

• SB 285 would interfere with successful partnerships in Indiana communities between local law enforcement, homeless service providers, and Hoosiers experiencing housing instability
• Class C misdemeanors carry a penalty of up to 60 days in jail AND a fine of up to $500, creating further barriers to accessing services, employment, and housing
• Service providers, not law enforcement, are best-equipped and trusted by community members to support Hoosiers facing homelessness in their pursuit of housing and stability
• Supportive housing, shelter services, and stabilizing assistance are not just more humane and dignified, they are also more cost-effective than incarceration
  
  Even if you have reached out on this issue in previously, it is critical that we reach out again. We have stopped legislation like this before, and if we work together, we can stop it again.