OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democrats debated against a bill on the House floor yesterday that criminalizes homelessness. The bill, SB 1854, would allow law enforcement to arrest people experiencing homelessness in encampments. With the bill, those experiencing homelessness can be arrested and found guilty of a misdemeanor and put in jail for 15 days or fined $50.

House Democrats argued the bill does not provide solutions for homelessness and does not prioritize compassion for those experiencing homelessness.

“This body talks about the dangers of those experiencing homelessness being on the side of the road, and that is a valid fear, but what we don’t do is worry about these people before they get to the point where they are on the side of the road,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “Criminalization is not a solution. When we see folks on the side of the road, we shouldn’t look away. We should look them in the eye because that person could be your colleague, brother, or dad. Many Oklahomans are one moment away from experiencing homelessness. I ask for compassion and kindness, to put cruelty aside.”

Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, also debated against the bill, saying we need to work with those experiencing homelessness in order to meet their needs.

“We can read every article and do our research, but at the end of the day, we can only solve this problem by collaborating with those in need,” Goodwin said. “This bill is not helpful and it is not compassionate.”

Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, said the bill will not work and more resources for those experiencing homelessness are needed.

“When we talk about adding resources, I am talking about making smart investments,” Bennett said. “Without sufficient shelter space, without adequate resources to help get folks back on their feet, this bill will have an unintended negative impact. Without a comprehensive response to homelessness, not only do we reinforce a cycle that costs taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per unhoused person per year, we also fall short of creating a policy solution that reduces homelessness, rather than simply moving it around.”