SB1593 is a bill that mandates municipalities and counties in Arizona to only permit homeless encampments if there are no other indoor shelter options available. If indoor shelter options do exist, the bill requires the removal of all homeless encampments. Additionally, the bill stipulates that municipal or county law enforcement agencies must arrest and prosecute individuals living in homeless encampments who are engaging in criminal activity. The bill defines a "homeless encampment" as a place where one or more tents, structures, or assemblies of camping equipment are used by individuals as an indefinite place of domicile or residence.

The bill introduces new sections to the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically sections 9-500.50 and 11-269.29, which outline the conditions under which homeless encampments are allowed to exist and the actions required if other shelter options are available. The bill also provides a definition for what constitutes a homeless encampment. The changes represent a shift towards stricter regulation of homeless encampments by local governments and increased enforcement against criminal activities within such encampments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.50, 11-269.29