REFERENCE TITLE: homeless encampment; crime enforcement |
State of Arizona Senate Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024
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SB 1593 |
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Introduced by Senator Wadsack: Representative Hernandez C
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An Act
amending title 9, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 9-500.50; amending title 11, chapter 2, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 11-269.29; relating to homeless encampments.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 9, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 9-500.50, to read:
9-500.50. Homeless encampments; indoor shelter options; crime enforcement; definition
A. A municipality shall allow the existence of a homeless encampment only if there are no other options for indoor shelter in the municipality.
B. The existence of a homeless encampment is prohibited if other options for indoor shelter exist in the municipality. If other options for indoor shelter exist in the municipality, the municipality shall remove all homeless encampments in the municipality.
c. Persons living at a homeless encampment who are engaging in criminal activity shall be arrested by municipal law enforcement agencies and prosecuted.
d. For the purposes of this section, "homeless encampment" means one or more tents, structures or assemblies of camping equipment or other structures where one or more persons are knowingly, intelligently and regularly using the area as an indefinite place of domicile or residence.
Sec. 2. Title 11, chapter 2, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 11-269.29, to read:
11-269.29. Homeless encampments; indoor shelter options; crime enforcement; definition
A. A county shall allow the existence of a homeless encampment only if there are no other options for indoor shelter in the county.
B. The existence of a homeless encampment is prohibited if other options for indoor shelter exist in the county. If other options for indoor shelter exist in the county, the county shall remove all homeless encampments in the county.
c. Persons living at a homeless encampment who are engaging in criminal activity shall be arrested by county law enforcement agencies and prosecuted.
d. For the purposes of this section, "homeless encampment" means one or more tents, structures or assemblies of camping equipment or other structures where one or more persons are knowingly, intelligently and regularly using the area as an indefinite place of domicile or residence.