Overview

• Florida's Senate passed a bill prohibiting homeless people from setting up camp or sleeping on public property without state authorization.
• Governor Ron DeSantis supports the bill, which allows counties to designate areas for homeless encampments with state Department of Children and Families approval.
• The bill's proponents argue it will facilitate the provision of local services to the homeless and address public nuisance issues.
• Critics claim the bill fails to tackle the root causes of homelessness and raises concerns about the safety and sanitation of designated encampments.
• The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, if signed into law by Governor DeSantis.