SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5332
As of February 13, 2023
Title: An act relating to prohibiting locating homeless encampments near schools and early learning facilities.
Brief Description: Prohibiting locating homeless encampments near schools and early learning facilities.
Sponsors: Senators King, Fortunato, Holy, Schoesler, Torres and Wilson, L..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs: 2/14/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits counties, cities, and towns from authorizing, or allowing through inaction, a sanctioned or unsanctioned homeless encampment to be established within 1000 feet of a school or early learning facility.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LAND USE & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Staff: Maggie Douglas (786-7279)
Background:

Temporary Shelters. Temporary tent or building encampments provide shelter for homeless individuals, and may rotate between various host properties, with some employing managers or a security team, and imposing a code of conduct for residents. Religious organizations may host or offer shelter or housing to persons experiencing homelessness on property the organizations own or control, with limitations on the ability of local governments to regulate such shelters. Local governments may regulate conditions necessary to protect public health and safety, so long as they do not substantially burden the decisions or actions of the religious organization. Some local governments have enacted regulations that outline additional rules and procedures related to temporary homeless encampments.

Summary of Bill:

Counties, cities, and towns may not authorize, or allow through inaction, a sanctioned or unsanctioned homeless encampment to be established within 1000 feet of a public or private school or early learning facility.
 
Homeless encampments may include outdoor tent or structure encampments, temporary small houses on-site, tiny homes sheltering homeless persons, vehicle resident safe parking, or care or feeding areas for homeless persons. Schools may include a charter school, and early learning facilities may include child day care centers, family day care providers, and nursery schools, and an early childhood education and assistance program provider or Head Start program.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.