anti-discrimination

To applause from the gallery on both sides, the Homeless Bill of Rights passed out of the General Assembly and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signing.

Officially titled the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, it was introduced in both chambers back in January. A revised version passed the Senate on May 2nd. But the House had shown little movement, and advocates feared it being “held for further study” meant that it would not be passed. However, on June 10th it was suddenly scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee for consideration, and a new revised version passed out of that committee on Tuesday, then being added to the House Calendar.

With zero debate, it passed 60-5. That version was then submitted to the Senate, where it was also passed, in a 33-2 vote.

The Homeless Bill of Rights acts to prevent discrimination against homeless people by various state and local agencies as well as employers and medical facilities.* According to advocates, if signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee, it would be the first of its kind in the nation.

The legislation was sponsored by retiring Senator John Tassoni in the Senate and freshman Representative Chris Blazejewski in the House.

UPDATE: Due to reader comments about the nature of these bills, it seems prudent to expand the original article.

What the Homeless Bill of Rights does is prevent harassment or discrimination towards homeless people. This means kicking people off of park benches or out of libraries when they’re not doing anything wrong. It means that when someone applies for a job, the fact that their mailing address is listed as a shelter can’t be used as a reason to reject them. It means that a homeless person can’t have their stuff seized or searched if they’re not causing trouble. Basically, if the Governor signs this, it’s now a little bit easier for the homeless to enjoy all the little niceties of public life.

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Correction: An earlier version of this article stated “businesses” instead of “employers and medical facilities.” Thank you to our keen readers for pointing this out.

Taking a “historic step” forward according to advocates, the Rhode Island Senate voted 33-2 to pass Senate Bill 2052, a.k.a. the Homeless Bill of Rights.

The law provides homeless people with protections against discrimination based on their housing status, preventing them from being told to move along if they enter libraries or sit on park benches and aren’t causing a disturbance. The passage of the bill in the Senate is considered a major step forward in protecting homeless from undue discrimination. Its passage brought a round of applause from the gallery and the floor.

The seventh item considered by the Senate that day, the rest had been deferred or otherwise passed unanimously without debate, but the Homeless Bill of Rights caused some discussion lasting roughly ten minutes. Senators rose to give their opinions regarding the bill, including Senators Moura, Nesselbush, Metts and Walaska. Senator John Tassoni, the bill sponsor, introduced the bill by thanking advocates, and the ACLU; “yes, the ACLU, I said it,” said Sen. Tassoni, causing laughter from the Senate floor and the gallery.

Leading the objections to the bill were Republican Senators Bethany Moura and Glenford Shibley, the two dissenting votes. Their fears mainly focused on a possible safety issue, as Sen. Shibley put it, “some homeless people are criminals.” He also suggested that the protections the bill would grant would lead to immigration by homeless individuals from other states.

Senator William Walaska, who voted for the bill, asked about where people would be registered to vote, something not covered under the law. Under current voting law, individuals can register to vote wherever they physically live, be it a street corner, a shelter, or a house or apartment address. Mailing addresses must be a valid mailbox though.

Rising to commend Senator Tassoni on the bill were Senators Pichardo, Metts, Nesselbush, and Ruggerio. Many of them thanked him for his service over the years, and others responded to criticisms and questions on the bill. “We have most of the services in Providence,” said Senator Metts. “We’ll welcome them with open arms.” He also paraphrased Matthew 25:40, saying “what you do to the least of my brothers…”

The bill passed with bipartisan support, except for the two dissenting senators. A companion bill in the House must be brought to that chamber’s floor before the bill can be signed into law by the Governor.

Tag: anti-discrimination

Homeless Bill of Rights Passes General Assembly

Homeless Bill of Rights Passes State Senate