Sponsor
William R. Timmons
Representative · R-SC
Representative · R-SC
The bill makes public spaces more accessible and gives cities a clear tool to clear encampments, but it does so by broadly criminalizing camping—risking civil liberties and health for people without housing and increasing enforcement costs.
People who use public parks, sidewalks, and other shared outdoor spaces will likely see fewer unauthorized encampments and increased perceived safety and access.
City and local officials gain a clearer legal tool to remove unauthorized encampments and to enforce rules or refer people to services.
People experiencing homelessness, especially low-income individuals, may be criminally penalized (fines, arrest, or short jail stays) for sleeping in public because the law broadly prohibits 'camping.'
People experiencing homelessness (including those with disabilities) may be pushed into less visible or more dangerous locations, or into vehicles, worsening health and safety outcomes for vulnerable people.
Taxpayers and municipal budgets may face higher costs as enforcement of criminal penalties increases demand on courts, jails, law enforcement, and related services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes outdoor camping on public property in D.C. a misdemeanor and defines camping to include tents, vehicle sleeping, and bedding, with penalties up to $500 or 30 days jail.
Makes it a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia to camp on public property without lawful authority, with penalties up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. The bill defines “camping” broadly to include tents, tarps, temporary shelters, sleeping in or preparing to sleep in vehicles, and laying out bedding outdoors.
Official title: To prohibit camping on public property in the District of Columbia.
Introduced September 4, 2025 by William R. Timmons · Last progress September 4, 2025