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Virginia House Subcommittee Votes Down Bill Addressing Homelessness in Vehicles

A bill to protect individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting criminal penalties for seeking temporary shelter in legally parked vehicles failed to advance in the Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of…

A bill to protect individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting criminal penalties for seeking temporary shelter in legally parked vehicles failed to advance in the Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee. HB2602, introduced by Delegate Joshua Cole (D-65, Fredericksburg), sought to address homelessness by ensuring humane treatment and temporary shelter solutions.

Thebillwouldhaveprohibitedlocalitiesfromenforcingordinancespenalizingindividualsforsleepingorseekingrefugeinlegallyparkedcars.Additionally,itrequiredlocalitiestomakereasonableeffortstoprovidetemporaryshelter,includingusinggovernment-ownedpropertyandstipulatedthatnoindividualcouldbedetainedsolelyforpubliccampingunlesstheyposedanimmediatepublicthreatorwereofferedalternativeshelter.ThisarticlerequiresapaidLocalsOnlyMembershiptoread.Plea