As Austin Voters Weigh Camping Ban Proposition, Texas Lawmakers Consider Bills to Prohibit Homeless Encampments Statewide

Texas camping ban

Legislation passed by the Texas House on Monday would prohibit homeless encampments throughout the state. Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune


This article was first published at Texastribune.org:

If the Legislation Is Approved and Signed by the Governor, Cities Could Lose State Grant Money for Failing to Enforce a New Statewide Encampment Ban

Austin Voters to Decide on Camping Ban

‘It Ties Their Hands’

“Criminalizing Texans who are trying to meet their basic needs is unconstitutional. Under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it is cruel and unusual to punish someone for status they cannot control, such as experiencing homelessness,” Hudson said. “Courts have found that it is unconstitutional to criminalize someone for sleeping or camping outside when they have no place else to go.”


The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune

           

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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