Editor’s note: The Indiana House passed the bill April 14. Read the update.
People experiencing homelessness could spend up to 60 days in jail for camping on public land under a bill moving through the Indiana House.
State lawmakers already rejected a bill this session that would have done the same thing. But that language has been added as an amendment to Senate Bill 197, which deals with unsafe buildings.
If the bill becomes law, it would be a Class C misdemeanor to use public land for long-term shelter. Along with jail time, a person could face a fine of up to $500.
Some homelessness advocates are organizing to try to defeat the proposal for a second time.
The Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for people experiencing homelessness, is urging people to contact their representatives and ask them to remove the language.
“This is not only cruel,” the group said in an email, “it will further increase the barriers to housing for those in need by involving them in the judicial system.”
Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, executive director of the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, told Mirror Indy she thought it was clear the first time around that there isn’t support for jailing some people experiencing homelessness.
“Criminalization really undermines what we know works,” she said.
If passed, the bill would allow police officers to give a person in violation a warning to move and offer a ride to receive mental health services or shelter.
The bill would also allow Medicaid to pay for some housing services.
The amendment was introduced by Republican Rep. Jennifer Meltzer from Shelbyville.
In an emailed statement to Mirror Indy, Meltzer said her amendment balances public safety and the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
“The issue of homelessness is one that is very difficult and complicated to navigate,” her statement reads, in part. “My heart goes out to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, and I want them to be given the opportunity to receive shelter and mental health support.”
Lawmakers discussed the amendment briefly, but the public didn’t get a chance to comment before the House Judiciary Committee approved it April 7.
Next up: House lawmakers will have the chance to further amend the bill before voting on it.
If passed by the House, the bill would return to the Senate for consideration. Senators would need to either sign off on the changes or come to an agreement with representatives before sending it to Gov. Mike Braun.
Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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