Pennsylvania state lawmakers are working to decriminalize homelessness by allowing unhoused individuals to carry out basic survival activities in public when no shelter is available. Lancaster County state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El is the primary sponsor of “The Shelter First Act,” which passed a House committee this week. “If signed into law, it would require municipalities to provide adequate indoor shelter before enforcing ordinances against living outside,” Smith-Wade-El said. In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities are allowed to enforce bans on camping and sleeping in public spaces.
Pennsylvania state lawmakers are working to decriminalize homelessness by allowing unhoused individuals to carry out basic survival activities in public when no shelter is available.
Lancaster County state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El is the primary sponsor of “The Shelter First Act,” which passed a House committee this week.
“If signed into law, it would require municipalities to provide adequate indoor shelter before enforcing ordinances against living outside,” Smith-Wade-El said.
In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities are allowed to enforce bans on camping and sleeping in public spaces.