The bill would enable homeless to claim rights to public land, and prohibit anyone from asking them to leave.
Under HB3501, homeless individuals would be able to have “a privacy interest and a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property belonging to the person, regardless of whether the property is located in a public space” – i.e., granting the individual rights to treat public spaces like a private residence “without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status.” Homeless individuals would also be able to sue for up to $1,000 if swept, told to relocate, or otherwise “harassed” as per the bill.
“Right to rest” bill proposed in Oregon legislature would decriminalize public camping | KATU
More about this proposal from Newsweek.
Update: The bill did not pass the Oregon legislature.
