Indiana bill could 'criminalize homelessness'
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — A proposed law in Indiana is facing opposition in Evansville, despite passing with majority support.
Thousands of people in the country face homelessness, but for those in Evansville, they say this bill in particular with Amendment 197 is not the solution.
Evansville Rescue Mission CEO Tracy Gorman says the original bill was abandoned at one point since it did not gain enough support the way it was written. He says a similar bill moved forward without debate.
'Nobody wants homelessness encampments,' says Gorman. They're not safe. They're unsanitary. But this is not the way to go about it. There is a better way to accomplish this without sticking some amendment on at the last minute.'
The Evansville Rescue Mission helps those experiencing homelessness by providing life-long resources and temporary housing to help people get back on their feet by hopefully equipping each person with the tools necessary to not be homeless again.
Gorman says the job is up to the leaders in Indianapolis to find a better solution for all.
'People need to come back to the table, come up with a really good solution, a good bill, debate it, let people talk about it,' says Gorman. 'Then come back next session and have something what we can all get behind and support because we want to support legislation that's going to help the homeless population.'
Former city council member and current State Representative Alex Burton spoke in opposition to the bill, wanting to a summer study to be conducted before passing the legislation into law.
The final vote in the House was 52-40 in favor of the bill and it has already passed the Senate.
The bill will take effect in July 2026.
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