Blocks penalties for homeless individuals doing basic life activities on federal lands.
This bill would stop federal agencies from penalizing homeless individuals for essential activities like sleeping or eating on federal public lands. It would also allow them to store possessions and use public spaces without penalty. However, these protections would not apply if a specific type of adequate indoor shelter is available.
Today, federal agencies can penalize homeless individuals for activities like sleeping, eating, or storing possessions on federal lands, and there isn't an explicit legal defense for lack of shelter. If this bill passes, federal agencies would be blocked from penalizing homeless individuals for these and other specified activities on federal public lands. It would also create a legal defense for individuals charged with such violations, based on not having access to adequate alternative indoor space.
HR 4182 · 119th Congress · June 26, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10
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