Bill sent to Governor would criminalize sleeping on state land

A bill passed by the Missouri legislature and sent to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson would make unapproved camping on state land a Class C misdemeanor.

That would ban homeless encampments on state land.

After one warning, anyone convicted of the crime would face a $750 fine and 15 days in jail.

The bill would allow the state attorney general to bring lawsuits against municipalities that refuse to enforce the ban.

It would also penalize cities and towns with rates of homelessness higher than the state average by taking away state grant funding for homeless services.

Leaders of Missouri nonprofits who work to help people living on the streets have spoken against the bill, which they argue would “criminalize homelessness.”