House Bill No. 619, introduced by Representative Knox, seeks to regulate public camping in Louisiana as a means to address homelessness. The bill allows local governing authorities to designate specific areas for public camping while prohibiting camping in non-designated public spaces. It sets forth conditions for authorizing public camping, such as the absence of sufficient shelter beds and ensuring that designated areas do not negatively impact nearby residential or commercial properties. Local authorities are required to notify the Louisiana Department of Health when designating these areas and must provide a 30-day notice before clearing existing encampments.

Additionally, the legislation establishes minimum standards for safety, sanitation, and access to behavioral health services in designated camping areas. It creates an Encampment Mitigation Reimbursement Fund to assist local governments in adhering to these regulations and grants residents, business owners, and nonprofit organizations the right to take civil action against political subdivisions that violate the law. The bill also mandates that political subdivisions publish minimum standards and procedures on their websites within 30 days of designating camping areas, and it allows the Louisiana Department of Health to inspect these properties. The law is set to take effect on June 1, 2026, and will remain in effect until June 1, 2029.