Yeah that's the argument from DeGroot and the legislators who support it. Their hearts are in a good place, but the homeless problem in Springfield is built on addiction and debilitating mental illnesses-things that won't be solved in jails; things that don't have a great solution at all.

I'm not sure what the answer is. This will definitely limit our exposure to homelessness. Some folks will be in jail, others will retreat deeper into the forests they were living in anyway.

So the fine can only be issued to repeat "offenders" after an alternative option (like an emergency shelter) is offered by the state. If they can't pay the fine (issued following their express refusal to attend a viable emergency shelter(which Springfield lacks)) they can elect to serve time in jail or in a work program for the state. The bill (Missouri House Bill 1606) is absolutely bonkers and it's worth reading the sections on homelessness.

Also in the bill: Complete cuts of state funding to permanent housing providers. Allows the state to allocate federal funding and GRANTS away from permanent housing providers. Gives permission to the attorney general (a wild boy) to sue any city that is not adhering to the new laws dictated in 1606.

There is an immense amount of strange stuff written into the homeless language of 1606. I encourage everyone once again to look some of it over.

Edit: Formatting