Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Housing Committee

HB 3234

Brief Description: Authorizing faith communities to host temporary homeless encampments subject to restrictions.

Sponsors: Representatives Miloscia, Hunt, Darneille, Chase, Holmquist, Santos and Hasegawa.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Mandates that local jurisdictions may not restrict faith communities from hosting homeless tent encampments and may not set a maximum duration of those encampments for less than ninety days.

Hearing Date: 2/2/06

Staff: Robyn Dupuis (786-7166).

Background:

Over the last several years, some Washington cities and counties have established, or have entertained discussions about, establishing ordinances providing regulations for the permitting of temporary encampments, including maximum stay ordinances.

Faith communities have responded in several instances with lawsuits claiming that such ordinances violate their constitutional and statutory rights under the state and federal constitutions and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act ("RLUIPA").

The following cities currently allow 90 day stays for temporary encampments:

Summary of Bill:

Local jurisdictions are prohibited from restricting faith communities from hosting homeless temporary encampments and may not set a time limit on such encampments for less than 90 days.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.