TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — To "combat homelessness" in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday a statewide ban against sleeping or camping in public. 

What You Need To Know

  • The new law bans sleeping or camping in public

  • Now that it's been signed, it goes into effect in October

  • Beginning next year, legal action is possible against any city that violates the ban

The new law, HB 1365, also promises the homeless greater access to services for issues such as substance abuse and mental health problems.

“We are going to protect and fight for our public spaces, our parks, our libraries, the sidewalks we walk down,” said the bill sponsor, Fleming Island Republican Rep. Sam Garrison. 

Beginning in 2025, residents and business owners may take legal action if a city fails to uphold the ban. The bill empowers them to sue local governments in violation. 

“You have to make sure that everything we do is geared toward quality of life and public safety,” said DeSantis at the bill signing in Miami Beach. “Those are non-negotiable.”

The state Department of Children and Families would oversee local governments that set up designated areas for the homeless to camp for up to a year under the new law, which takes effect Oct. 1.

The encampments would be created if local homeless shelters reach maximum capacity, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The legislation lays out several rules for new housing sites. They must include security, running water and mental health support.

They must also be located somewhere that does not impact nearby property values.

Anyone using those encampments would be prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs.

Critics suggest the new law will do more harm than good, particularly in smaller, rural and financially constrained areas. 

“I have cities that stretch sometimes just a mile,” said Hollywood Democratic Sen. Jason Pizzo last month.

Critics also question the legislation’s finer details. They fear the new law may create legal and logistical hurdles.

“I don’t know if this gets us where (we) need to be,” said West Palm Beach Democratic Sen. Bobby Powell. 

According to a bill analysis, Florida’s homeless population is roughly 30,000 on any given night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.