Title: Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People - HG.org
Headings: Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People
Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People
Anti-Homelessness Legislation
Homelessness Is Not a Recognized Protected Class
What You Can Do

Content: Cities and states that have adopted this approach have begun outlawing activities like sleeping, eating, sitting, and begging in public spaces. They also tend to selectively enforce more neutral laws, like open container laws and anti-loitering provisions, against people who appear to be homeless. Those arrested on charges of violating any of these laws face not only jail time, but also fines and other penalties. It also leaves the homeless person with an arrest record, making the possibility of future employment even more difficult. Fortunately, the courts have begun to respond to the criminalization of homelessness. In Jones v. City of Los Angeles, a United States Court of Appeals held that the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits cities from punishing involuntary sitting, lying, or sleeping in public spaces when it is an unavoidable consequence of homelessness. Unfortunately, the case was later settled out of court and the decision was vacated, meaning its precedential value on American law may be rather limited. Another approach to criminalizing homelessness has been to attack those who seek to help the homeless. Aid workers dispensing food to homeless people have been subject to fine or arrest in some cities. Other cities have outlawed giving money to panhandlers.