Homeless bill of rights resurfaces in RI House
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A proposal to prevent discrimination against homeless people in Rhode Island has reappeared in the General Assembly just as it appeared to be languishing on the legislative agenda.
The House Judiciary Committee plans to vote on the so-called homeless bill of rights Tuesday afternoon.
Advocates for the homeless say they're now optimistic the bill could pass before lawmakers adjourn their session, perhaps as early as this week.
The measure would prohibit law enforcement, health care workers, landlords or employers from treating homeless people unfairly because of their housing status.
The legislation easily passed the Senate but was hung up in the House, where some lawmakers worried it would burden local governments and police departments.
While some discrimination against the homeless is already prohibited, no state has passed such comprehensive legislation.
