The bill amends the "Homeless Bill of Rights" to enhance protections for individuals experiencing homelessness. Key insertions include the establishment of rights for homeless individuals to access trash receptacles and toilet facilities to maintain sanitary conditions, as well as the recognition of their reasonable expectation of privacy in temporary housing, such as tents. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that allow aggrieved individuals or organizations to bring civil actions for violations of these rights, with potential awards for damages, attorney's fees, and fines for intentional violations, which will be directed towards housing stabilization services.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that police and public works departments create and publicly share written policies to ensure compliance with the updated rights. It also stipulates that individuals occupying encampments on public property must receive a written notice of at least sixty days before any enforcement action to vacate, along with reasonable alternatives for relocation. Personal property found at encampments must be maintained for at least thirty days post-enforcement, except in cases of health or safety hazards. This act aims to provide a more structured and respectful approach to managing homelessness and encampments in public spaces.