LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new Indiana law will ban unauthorized camping on public land and connect homeless people to mental health services.
Gov. Mike Braun announced in a news release Tuesday that he signed Senate Enrolled Act 285, which prohibits unauthorized camping, sleeping or long-term shelter on land owned by the state or a political subdivision.
The release said the state is trying to move away from its previous approach of housing-first legislation that they said "has demonstrably not reduced homelessness."
The bill says before criminal action is taken against anyone, law enforcement must first determine if emergency mental health detention is applicable. If not, officers must give warning and information about available shelter and services. Additionally, a person can be charged only if at least 48 hours have passed since the warning and the person is still within 300 feet of the warned location.
The law also allows alternatives to charges and a defense if no nearby shelter is available or if someone was recently released from involuntary mental health care.
The release said that the purpose of the bill is not criminal action, but "moving homeless Hoosiers toward social service networks to help them get needed services and stay safe."
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