According to Newsweek, House Bill 3501, sponsored by Beaverton-area Democratic Representative Farrah Chaichi, proposes that homeless individuals be allowed to sue municipalities for up to $1,000 per violation. The bill is to support the decriminalization of the homeless population being experienced in Oregon.
The bill, also known as the “Right to Rest Act,” allows anyone in a homeless situation to use public spaces in “the same manner as any other person” without discrimination for their housing status. Homeless individuals would also have a reasonable expectation of privacy even if they choose to live in a public area. Along with setting up housing in a public space and an expectation of privacy, homeless individuals would also be protected from “harassment, citation, or arrest” by the police, public or private security service personnel, or government employees. Chaichi said the proposal is to end punitive policing against individuals because they are poor.
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Those who violate the law would be subjected to $1,000 or compensatory damages per violation, “whichever is greater,” and another $1,000 in civil penalties.
April 30, 2023
Chaichi said on April 5, “There are more than 220 local laws in Oregon criminalizing homelessness, which effectively means if you are ever unable to afford housing, and you don’t have friends or family that you can crash with, or rely on for shelter, you are criminalized.”
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The bill is scheduled to go before the committee on May 4. A rally scheduled to promote the bill is slated for June 1.
Another piece of legislation earlier this year proposes a year-long trial program to give $1,000 guaranteed each month to low-income earners and homeless individuals. These individuals should use the free money for rent, childcare, food, and emergency expenses.
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The “Right to Rest” bill is getting pushback. One Portland resident commented, “Stop trying to make this situation worse than it already is. Invest in the damn services that were promised as part of 110.”
“Promoting Portland to be a beacon for a safe space or the sole arbiter of homelessness in the U.S. is not only dangerous but also highly immoral.” The commenter was not alone in their feelings. As of Monday, 534 people had commented on the bill, with over 300 from Portland opposing the bill’s passage. Only five people supported the bill.
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