Assembly Bill A5452

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Prohibits imprisonment for sleeping or camping in public spaces

download bill text pdf

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Current Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

  • Introduced
    • In Committee Assembly
    • In Committee Senate
    • On Floor Calendar Assembly
    • On Floor Calendar Senate
    • Passed Assembly
    • Passed Senate
  • Delivered to Governor
  • Signed By Governor

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2025-A5452 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:
Assembly Codes
Law Section:
Civil Rights Law
Laws Affected:
Add §29, Civ Rts L

2025-A5452 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Prohibits imposing imprisonment or other penalties or fines for sleeping or camping in public spaces.

2025-A5452 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5452
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 14, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. FORREST -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Codes
 
 AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, in relation to prohibiting  impri-
   sonment for sleeping or camping in public spaces
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the  "stop  law
 enforcement of encampment penalties (SLEEP) act".
   §  2.  The  civil  rights law is amended by adding a new section 29 to
 read as follows:
   § 29. NO IMPRISONMENT FOR SLEEPING OR CAMPING  IN  PUBLIC  SPACES.  1.
 NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDER TO
 THE  CONTRARY,  A  PERSON  SHALL  NOT  BE ARRESTED, IMPRISONED, CHARGED,
 FINED, REMOVED, OR HAVE THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY REMOVED FOR SLEEPING  IN
 OR  UPON  ANY  PUBLICLY-OWNED  PROPERTY WHICH, AT THAT TIME, IS OPEN AND
 AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SIDEWALKS,
 STREETS, ALLEYWAYS, PARKS, BENCHES, AND  DOORWAYS,  PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH
 INDIVIDUAL  IS  NOT  SUBSTANTIALLY IMPEDING OPERATIONS OR ACCESS TO SUCH
 PUBLICLY-OWNED PROPERTY AND THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL IS NOT POSING AN  IMMI-
 NENT THREAT TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF THEMSELVES OR THOSE AROUND THEM.
   2.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER  PROVISION OF LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR
 ORDER TO THE CONTRARY, NO EXECUTIVE OFFICER  OR  GOVERNING  BOARD  OF  A
 MUNICIPAL  CORPORATION  SHALL  ISSUE  ANY LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDER
 WHICH CONTRADICTS SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD07315-01-5

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