TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers advanced a pair of bills this week that would prevent people from being able to sleep or camp on public property without permits.

Senate Bill 1530 and House Bill 1365 are now in the Judiciary Committee.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida lawmakers are advancing a pair of bills that would make it illegal to camp or sleep on public property without a permit

  • Opponents say the bills "criminalize homelessness," especially for those living in an area without a shelter nearby

  • A sponsor of the House version of the bill said sleeping on the street should not be the status quo option

  • Instead, under the measures, municipalities would be allowed to create public spaces for the homeless to sleep, which follow safety and health regulations

“This is crazy,” said Scott Billue, founder and CEO of Mathew’s Hope.

His organization helps those living without a home all across Central Florida. Billue says they work toward getting people housed and independent for the long haul, instead of offering “Band-Aid” solutions.

Billue, who was once homeless himself, said he’s disappointed in the proposals in Tallahassee and wondered what legislators expect people to do when there isn't a shelter available.

Several local governments across the state have created their own laws on homelessness and public camping. In Miami Beach, for example, refusal to leave after camping in a public space can result in a fine of up to $500 or jail time up to 60 days.

“We’re criminalizing homelessness,” said Billue.

He said most shelters remain full, and there are areas like Apopka where there isn’t a shelter at all.

“Your highest concentration of homeless people are in west Orange County and east Orange County, and there’s nothing there,” he said. “If there’s no place else to go, what are you going to do?”

But Rep. Sam Garrison of Florida’s 11th District, the sponsor of the House version of the bill, said there needs to be alternative solutions to sleeping on the street.

“The status quo is not OK,” Garrison said. “And it’s not OK to see public spaces become de facto homeless camps.”

The bills would allow, but not require, counties and municipalities to create designated public areas for the homeless to sleep. However, these areas must fit certain criteria, including access to running water, access to behavioral health services and having security on site.

He Garrison said the bill has received support from his own party and also some Democrats.

“At least treat these folks with dignity as we would expect every one of us,” Garrison said.

As of January 2023, a point-in-time count found there were at least 30,756 homeless people in Florida, with about 40% being unsheltered, like living in a tent or car.