AP: RI Homeless Bill of Rights Praised as US Model

Law Center's Heather Johnson Joins Governor, Advocates at Rally

While cities across the nation pass laws against panhandling and outdoor sleeping, Rhode Island is being hailed as a model for protecting homeless individuals from discrimination.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee and proponents celebrated the enactment of the state's new homeless bill of rights Wednesday with a rally outside the Statehouse. The bill forbids governments, police, healthcare workers, landlords or other employers from treating homeless people unfairly because of their housing status. Homeless advocates say it communicates that discrimination against people who lack housing is illegal while providing room for enforcement.

The Law Center's civil rights attorney Heather Maria Johnson and policy director Jeremy Rosen assisted the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in reviewing drafts and making recommended changes to the bill during the course of its development. Johnson was on site yesterday to celebrate enactment at the rally, along with staff from Law Center partners Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project.

Johnson said Rhode Island stands in sharp contrast with the numerous cities around the country moving to criminalize homelessness. She said that NLCHP has noticed a sharp increase in laws around the country prohibiting panhandling, sleeping outdoors or loitering.

"We've seen a lot of egregious examples lately. People are having their civil rights violated every day in cities across the country."

Last month the Denver City Council made it illegal to eat or sleep on public or private property without permission. In Dallas, city officials now forbid people from sharing food with the homeless unless they register with the city first. Officials in Berkeley, Calif., have recommended a ban on sitting on sidewalks.

Johnson called Rhode Island's measure historic legislation and said she hopes advocates around the country work to pass similar laws.

For the full article from the Associated Press by David Klepper, click here.