Supreme Court Upholds Local Ordinances Regulating Homeless Encampments

In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that prohibitions on public camping do not violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The ruling reverses a lower court decision that had deemed such ordinances unconstitutional.
Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion, emphasizing that the laws regulate conduct, not status.
The decision has sparked a wide range of reactions, including support from Gov. Gavin Newsom and criticism from homelessness advocates.
The case has been sent back for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion.
Dissenting justices argued that the ordinances effectively punish people for being homeless.