The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 285 on housing matters sponsored by Rep. Zimmerman and Rep. Miller and authored by Sen. Carrasco and Sen. Koch. The bill:
- Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to establish eligibility criteria for a potential recipient to be included in the authority’s application for funding under the federal continuum of care program (program).
- Requires a recipient of program funding to submit an annual report to the authority.
- Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law.
- Provides, if certain elements are met, that a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor.
- Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk.
- Authorizes a resident of the political subdivision, an owner of a business located in the political subdivision, or the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin a political subdivision that adopts or enforces such a policy.
- Requires: (1) each local law enforcement agency to provide to the state police department the number of arrests made for violations of the prohibition of street camping; and (2) the state police department to provide this information to the authority.
- Specifies that the bill does not prohibit a policy, program, or order of a political subdivision that encourages a diversion program or encourages or requires providing housing or shelter in lieu of a citation or arrest.
The Committee amended the bill by consent to define “gravely disabled” and to provide that a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds for an emergency detention of the person shall proceed with the emergency detention and may not arrest the person for street camping.
Cicero Action, Indiana Restaurant Lodging Association, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Business Alliance and Economic Partnership, and the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers testified in support of the bill. The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, Indiana United Ways, Helping Veterans and Families, Adult and Child Health, Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Homeless Services, Indiana Task Force, Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis, and private citizens testified in opposition. Collectables for Change Foundation testified but remained neutral. The amended bill passed 8-5.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/285