Florida Public Sleeping Ban Goes Into Effect October 1

A Florida law that goes into effect in October will bar people from sleeping outdoors in public spaces, parks, or on sidewalks. The law also gives individual citizens the right to sue cities if they feel the law is not being effectively enforced, reports Atyia Collins for First Coast News. Attorney Khalil Farah said lawsuits would be difficult to win. “And if a civil lawsuit was to be successful, the city would only have to pay reasonable expenses,” such as costs related to the lawsuit.

The law requires cities to create alternate shelter options. According to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, the city has developed a 12-step plan that includes adding beds to existing shelters and contracting with hotels for additional rooms. “The law allows cities to create temporary shelters and Deegan plans to build a shelter village that will add 100 beds through container housing.”