Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Wednesday making it illegal for homeless encampments to be on public property, according to a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill, HB 1365<\/u><\/a>, was introduced in January by Republican Rep. Sam Garrison and passed<\/u><\/a> by the Florida House of Representatives on March 5 by a 27 to 12 vote along party lines. DeSantis said that the Sunshine State would not be like New York or California and impede on the \u201cquality of life\u201d of its citizens by allowing the homeless crisis to spiral out of control, according<\/u><\/a> to the press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFlorida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California,\u201d DeSantis said in a statement. \u201cThe legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new law, which is set to go into effect on Oct 1, prohibits homeless encampments on \u201ccity streets, sidewalks, and parks\u201d and requires that homeless individuals are placed in shelters \u201cmonitored by law enforcement agencies,\u201d according to the press release. The bill gives the state the ability to ensure that local governments obey and comply with the new mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, individuals placed in shelters will be required to be off of drugs and the shelters must provide \u201d substance abuse and mental health treatments,\u201d according to the press release. In the event that shelters are full, the state may permit \u201ctemporary campsites\u201d provided they \u201cmaintain sanitation, including access to clean and operable restrooms and running water\u201d as well as bar any alcohol consumption or drug abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opponents of the bill claimed it would just hide the homeless problem from the public instead of solving the problem, according to CBS News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis bill does not and it will not address the more pressing and root cause of homelessness,\u201d Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones said in a debate over the bill, CBS reported. \u201cWe are literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals with no exit strategy for people who are experiencing homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a similar resolution was passed in Miami Beach in 2023 and has seen improvement on the issue as a result, according to CBS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt helps people. It\u2019s increasing funding for shelters,\u201d Miami Beach Mayor Stephen Meiner said. \u201cIt\u2019s increasing funding for mental health treatment. It\u2019s increasing funding for substance abuse treatment. This will absolutely help people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n