People may face charges for camping on public land

People may not camp, sleep or use state or local government land for long-term shelter unless the land is legally approved for that use. The rule applies to land owned by the state or a local government. An officer must first assess whether emergency detention grounds exist; if they do, the emergency detention process applies instead. For a first violation without emergency detention grounds, the officer must give a warning and information about authorized shelter or service locations. The chapter takes effect July 1, 2026.

A person who knowingly or intentionally continues the prohibited use may be charged with street camping, a Class C misdemeanor. This applies when someone knowingly or intentionally camps, sleeps or uses state or local government land for long-term shelter. The person must have received a warning, and at least 48 hours must have passed. The person must be within 300 feet of where the warning was issued. It is a defense if no shelter or treatment beds are available within five miles, or if less than six months have passed since release from a facility after a finding of mental illness and grave disability or dangerousness. A charged person may qualify for diversion; a court may refer the person for evaluation and treatment. The chapter takes effect July 1, 2026; the 48-hour period starts when the warning is issued.

Local governments may not block or discourage enforcement of orders or ordinances against public camping, sleeping or sidewalk obstruction. This applies to political subdivisions and officers they employ or control. Local policies may still encourage diversion or provide housing or shelter instead of a citation or arrest, but may not allow someone to remain in the warned area beyond 48 hours. The chapter takes effect July 1, 2026.

Local law enforcement agencies must report street-camping citations and arrests to state police. Each local law enforcement agency reports the number of citations and arrests for violations of the chapter. Reports are due by March 1 each year and cover the preceding calendar year; the chapter takes effect July 1, 2026.