Indiana House Bill Could Make Homeless Camping on Public Places a Misdemeanor

The Indiana House is passing a Senate bill that would empower law enforcement to arrest the homeless and charge them with a C misdemeanor if they’re found sleeping or camping on public property and refuse referrals to emergency shelter resources.
Senate Bill 197 has returned to the Senate for more debate.
The legislation was created to protect the rights of property owners facing housing code violations, regulate illegal dumping, and eliminate requirements to provide renters with utility use data.
Representative Andrew Ireland said the amendment is meant to help those without shelter, not jail them, adding that it includes provisions for referrals to mental health services.
If approved, SB-197 won’t go into effect until July 1st, 2026.