An advocate for people without homes in Oregon is raising concerns about a bill decriminalizing camping in public areas in his state.
Following House Bill 3501, sometimes referred to as the “Right to Rest Act,” “persons experiencing homelessness” would be permitted to “use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status.”
“Jesse Watters Primetime” host Kevin Dahlgreen called the bill “madness.”
“Explain to me how this helps to end this humanitarian situation meaningfully. This is outdated thinking, he declared. This way of thinking is what initially led us to this problem. So no, I’m afraid I have to disagree with this.
“Explain to me how this helps to end this humanitarian situation meaningfully. This is outdated thinking, he declared. This way of thinking is what initially led us to this problem. So no, I’m afraid I have to disagree with this.
According to HB 3501, which was introduced by Democratic state representatives Farrah Chaichi and Khanh Pham, homeless individuals have the right to a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property that they own, regardless of whether it is situated in a public area.
The term “public space” is used in the law to refer to “any property that is owned, in whole or in part, by the state government or a local government, or upon which there is an easement for public use, and that is held open to the public.” It clarifies that a public area does not necessarily include a private business location.
Decriminalizing homelessness, according to Dahlgreen, would “open the floodgates” and encourage more individuals to move to the state.
People, you know, move to these cities of a more progressive nature because of these progressive policies. He said to guest host Pete Hegseth, “If we do this, the homeless population in Portland will expand, and that is not OK.
The veteran drug counselor continued by saying that to control the situation; the state must adopt an “outreach” strategy. He claimed it would accomplish two goals simultaneously: foster trust and discourage bad behavior.
“They’re going to come around and accept the services you are offering,” he said, “if you saw established teams out there every day, every encampment, engaging with them and building that trust and bringing back hope.” We merely leave them alone outside, which has given the situation a virtually post-apocalyptic sense.
According to HB 3501, it is “unlawful practice” for anyone to “deny, refuse, restrict, or withhold from a person experiencing homelessness” any of the following rights.
