TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Apr 19, 2022

Legislation that would make camping on public property a misdemeanor crime was yesterday cleared by the Tennessee House and now awaits Gov. Bill Lee’s signature. House Bill 978 would make camping on the shoulder, right-of-way, bridge, overpass or underpass of a state or interstate highway a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a $50 fine or community service. Sponsors Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, and Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, claim their bill would be a useful tool law enforcement could use to address homelessness. “This is not mandatory, but just gives them the ability to do so,” Bailey said during a Senate session. Critics of the measure say it effectively criminalizes homelessness. Democrats and some Republicans opposed the legislation, which last week cleared the state Senate with a 22-10 vote and the House yesterday with a 57-28 vote. The Tennessean has the full story.