Criminalizing Squatting (H 8066, S 2481am)

Rhode Island's serious homelessness crisis cannot be solved by punishing the victims of that crisis. As such, we opposed legislation which would make it a crime punishable by a year in prison for a person to "occupy a dwelling unit or other structure" without permission. Aimed at people who are considered "squatters," we argued this criminalization is cruel and lacks compassion for those experiencing the plight that hundreds of unhoused Rhode Islanders face. This legislation passed the Senate, but died in the House Judiciary committee.