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Eugene

(61,937 posts) Wed Jun 13, 2012, 08:57 PM Jun 2012

Rhode Island passes bill to guarantee rights of homeless people

Source: Reuters

By Jason McLure
Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:15pm EDT

(Reuters) - Rhode Island's governor is expected to sign into law the first "Homeless Bill of Rights" in the United States as early as next week, formally banning discrimination against homeless people and affirming their equal access to jobs, housing and services.

The legislation, which won final approval by the state Senate on Wednesday, bucks a national trend among municipalities toward outlawing behaviors associated with homelessness such as eating, sleeping and panhandling in public spaces.

Among other steps, the Rhode Island law would guarantee homeless people the right to use public sidewalks, parks and transportation as well as public buildings, like anyone else "without discrimination on the basis of his or her housing status."

It guarantees a "reasonable expectation of privacy" with respect to personal belongings similar to that of people who have homes.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/13/us-usa-homeless-rhodeisland-idUSBRE85C1RY20120613

13 replies

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Rhode Island passes bill to guarantee rights of homeless people (Original Post) Eugene Jun 2012 OP

Thank you Rhode Island siligut Jun 2012 #1

The biggest little state in the Union. nt awoke_in_2003 Jun 2012 #4

Sad that it's needed; great that it's there. (nt) Posteritatis Jun 2012 #2

I really like Chafee. jpbollma Jun 2012 #3

It is unreal that a state in this country has to write such laws. lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #5

most states are moving to criminalize these people. jpbollma Jun 2012 #6

Oh I'm not puking at what he is doing. I do respect him for it I am puking that our country is lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #7

I agree jpbollma Jun 2012 #8

It's unreal that this nation has so many homeless that we need to kestrel91316 Jun 2012 #10

Another good point. lookingfortruth Jun 2012 #11

I hope other states follow BBGC Jun 2012 #9

So humane LittleGirl Jun 2012 #12

Chafee is to the left of many Democrats. Odin2005 Jun 2012 #13

siligut

(12,272 posts)

1. Thank you Rhode Island

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:03 PM

Jun 2012

Of course they have rights, it is too bad that as a society we have to put it in writing.

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)

4. The biggest little state in the Union. nt

Reply to siligut (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:22 PM

Jun 2012

Posteritatis

(18,807 posts)

2. Sad that it's needed; great that it's there. (nt)

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:07 PM

Jun 2012

jpbollma

(552 posts)

3. I really like Chafee.

Reply to Posteritatis (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:16 PM

Jun 2012

Do I agree with him always? No. But he is a man of principle and a great governor. I have nothing but good to say about him. I really think he has a good heart.

lookingfortruth

(263 posts)

5. It is unreal that a state in this country has to write such laws.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:23 PM

Jun 2012

jpbollma

(552 posts)

6. most states are moving to criminalize these people.

Reply to lookingfortruth (Reply #5)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:36 PM

Jun 2012

This governor is a former Republican. he would probably be at home in the old school GOP. I salute him for doing a lot of good things.

lookingfortruth

(263 posts)

7. Oh I'm not puking at what he is doing. I do respect him for it I am puking that our country is

Reply to jpbollma (Reply #6)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 09:46 PM

Jun 2012

becoming so appalling that it is criminalizing the homeless and basically treating them like non-citizens. NO ONE in this country should have to have a separate bill of rights written for them.

NO ONE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE A CRIMINAL FOR BEING HOMELESS.