H.498 is a bill introduced by Representative Headrick of Burlington that aims to amend various provisions of Title 24 regarding municipal and county government, specifically focusing on the regulation of homelessness. The bill prohibits municipal corporations from enacting civil or criminal ordinances that would prevent individuals from engaging in life-sustaining activities on municipal property, such as sleeping, camping, resting, or loitering. However, it allows municipalities to adopt ordinances that restrict these activities when adequate shelter is available. Additionally, the bill establishes a State-funded grant program to support municipal diversionary programs for unhoused individuals, mental health care, addiction treatment, job training, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to provide housing solutions.

Furthermore, H.498 proposes the creation of humanitarian zones in public spaces for unhoused individuals to access essential services, as well as appropriating funds to the Agency of Human Services to expand low-barrier housing programs. It includes provisions for tax incentives for affordable housing development, rent stabilization, eviction protection, and mandates municipalities to incorporate homelessness strategies into their planning. The bill also requires annual reports from municipalities and State agencies on homelessness status and effectiveness of measures taken, and establishes a task force to oversee the implementation of these proposals.