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Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to establish eligibility criteria for a potential recipient to be included in the authority's application for funding under the federal continuum of care program (program). Requires a recipient of program funding to submit an annual report to the authority. Defines "gravely disabled" for purposes of involuntary commitment. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law. Requires a law enforcement officer who discovers a person unlawfully using land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unlawful camping, sleeping, or long term shelter to determine if there are reasonable grounds for an emergency detention of the person, and, if reasonable grounds exist, to proceed under the emergency detention procedure and not the criminal law. Provides that, if there are not grounds for emergency detention and certain elements are met, a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Creates a defense to the crime if: (1) no beds are available in a shelter or treatment facility located within five miles; or (2) less than six months have passed since the person was released from a facility to which the person was involuntarily committed. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Requires: (1) each local law enforcement agency to provide to the state police department the number of arrests made for violations of the prohibition of street camping; and (2) the state police department to provide this information to the authority. Specifies that the bill does not prohibit a policy, program, or order of a political subdivision that encourages a diversion program or encourages or requires providing housing or shelter in lieu of a citation or arrest. Makes technical corrections.
Introduced
Jan 12, 2026
Last Action
Mar 5, 2026
Session
IN 2026
Sponsors
3 primary · 3 co
Public Law 138
Signed by the Governor
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
Signed by the Speaker
Signed by the President of the Senate
Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 303: yeas 28, nays 22
Returned to the Senate with amendments
Motion to concur filed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 359: yeas 53, nays 44
Amendment #2 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote
Representative Davis added as cosponsor
Amendment #1 (Pierce M) failed; Roll Call 333: yeas 31, nays 62
Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
Amendment #5 (Gore) failed; voice vote
Amendment #3 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
Representative Miller D added as cosponsor
Representative Miller D removed as sponsor
Representative Zimmerman added as sponsor
First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code
Referred to the House
House sponsor: Representative Miller D
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 129: yeas 29, nays 19
Senator Baldwin added as coauthor
Amendment #6 (Carrasco) prevailed; voice vote
Amendment #3 (Pol) failed; voice vote
Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
Amendment #5 (Taylor G) failed; voice vote
Amendment #4 (Pol) failed; voice vote
Amendment #2 (Pol) failed; voice vote
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
Authored by Senator Carrasco
First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary
Senator Koch added as second author
SB 285 was introduced on Jan 12, 2026 by Alex Zimmerman in IN session 2026. It is currently dead. Most recent action on Mar 5, 2026: Public Law 138.
Get a plain-English explanation of what this bill does, who it affects, and why it matters.
Public Law 138