A bill that would penalize individuals sleeping on state-owned property passed out of committee on Monday and is moving forward for a full House vote. House Bill 1662 aims to prevent unauthorized camping on public land by imposing fines and criminal penalties on individuals who camp or sleep in public spaces without permission.
Under the bill, individuals caught camping on public property could face a Class C misdemeanor, which may result in fines or other penalties. The legislation also prevents local governments from enacting policies that limit the enforcement of such rules, and it allows for legal action against municipalities that do not comply with the law.
Currently, Montgomery County does not have any homeless shelters, though the Recovery Rec Center in Crawfordsville serves as a warming station, offering a temporary space for individuals in need of shelter, as well as access to clothing and warm beverages.
Montgomery County’s Housing Instability Initiative, part of Drug-Free Montgomery County, conducts an annual Point-In-Time Count, last year the results found 31 individuals or families experiencing homelessness, including 60 people in total, with some individuals counted multiple times. The PIT Count also revealed the presence of “hidden” homelessness, such as individuals staying in motels or temporarily living with others.
In 2023, the Indiana Public Policy Institute reported more than 6,000 individuals experiencing homelessness across the state. Advocates for people experiencing homelessness have expressed concerns that the bill could make it more difficult for individuals in need to access resources or find stable housing.
Similar bills to HB 1662 have been introduced in other states in recent years. For example, California’s Fremont Camping Ban Ordinance (2025) makes it illegal to camp on public property throughout the city of Fremont, with fines and penalties for individuals and those who assist them in setting up encampments. This law has faced backlash for criminalizing homelessness while aiming to address public safety concerns. In Tennessee, the 2022 Public Camping Ban Law makes it a felony offense to camp on public property statewide. Missouri passed a similar law in 2022, known as the Missouri Public Camping Ban, but it was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court. In Texas, local laws, such as those in cities like Austin and Houston, prohibit camping in public areas, and the Texas State Legislature has passed laws imposing penalties on those who violate such bans. Oregon has seen an increase in public camping bans following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2021 (Martin v. City of Boise) that allowed local governments to implement these restrictions. Cities like Portland and Grants Pass have adopted ordinances in response to the decision.
The full House will now consider HB 1662, which also includes provisions for legal protections for private campground owners and restrictions on local policies regarding enforcement of public camping regulations.
