HB 505: Homeless Services Revisions - Utah

Substitute #3 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill enacts new laws regarding homeless services, including a new criminal penalty for unsanctioned camping on state property and stricter requirements for municipalities receiving state mitigation funds. It also updates winter response plans to prioritize shelter sites away from existing housing and clarifies rules for domestic violence facilities receiving state funds.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enforcement by criminalizing unsanctioned camping on state property and modifies the scope of funding eligibility by adding new conditions for municipalities to receive Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account funds.

ENFORCEMENT

Enacts a new law defining unsanctioned camping on state property as a class C misdemeanor.

REQUIREMENT

Requires municipalities receiving mitigation funds to enforce camping prohibitions and demonstrate improvement in reducing traffic and sidewalk blocking.

Updates winter shelter site selection rules to prioritize locations more than one mile away from existing homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing.

DEFINITION

Amends the definition of 'building' to include various vehicles and structures adapted for overnight accommodation.

TECHNICAL

Corrects formatting errors and reorganizes text in the long title and section headers.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from Sections 1-7 to Sections 1-8, and the list of amended code sections was updated to include Section 35A-16-401 (Definitions) while removing the old Section 35A-16-403 title line. The substantive policy text regarding homeless services, winter response plans, and unsanctioned camping penalties remains identical to the previous version.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability is unchanged; the only difference is the addition of a new definitions section (35A-16-401) to the list of amended statutes, which was likely a correction to ensure the definitions were formally amended in the code.

TECHNICAL

The bill's internal section numbering was changed from Sections 1 through 7 to Sections 1 through 8 to accommodate the new definitions section.

The list of affected Utah Code sections was updated to include 35A-16-401 and removed the standalone title line for 35A-16-403, clarifying that the definitions within that section are being amended.

The header line listing '35A-16-403' as a separate amended section was removed, as the definitions are now handled under the new 35A-16-401 entry.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of HB 505 that significantly modifies homeless services provisions, adds a new section on unsanctioned camping penalties, and introduces a new section protecting domestic violence facilities from certain funding requirements. The changes affect how municipalities apply for homeless shelter mitigation funds, how winter response plans are structured, and establish new penalties for camping on state property.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new section on unsanctioned camping on state property and a new section protecting domestic violence service facilities from conflicting funding requirements, while removing the original definition of 'Account' from Section 35A-16-401.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new Section 76-6-207 establishing unsanctioned camping on state property as a class C misdemeanor, with specific definitions of camping activities.

SCOPE

Added new Section 35A-16-103 protecting facilities providing domestic violence services from being required to act in ways that conflict with their licensing obligations or state/federal funding requirements.

FISCAL

Modified Section 35A-16-403 to remove requirements for municipalities to enforce camping prohibition ordinances as a condition for receiving Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account funds.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 35A-16-502 to extend winter response plan submission deadlines to 2025 for most counties and added provisions for year-round homeless service plans.

DEFINITION

Removed the definition of 'Account' from Section 35A-16-401, which previously defined the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account.

TECHNICAL

Changed the affected code sections list to reflect new Section 35A-16-103 and removed Section 35A-16-401 from the amendments list.

TIMELINE

Updated winter response plan submission deadlines to August 1 in calendar years 2024 and 2025 for counties not in the first class.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision updates homeless services provisions by clarifying definitions for shelter eligibility, modifying the application process for mitigation funds, adjusting task force composition, and establishing penalties for unsanctioned camping on state property. The changes aim to improve coordination between municipalities and counties while providing clearer guidelines for shelter capacity and winter response planning.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on homeless services but adds new enforcement mechanisms for unsanctioned camping on state property and clarifies eligibility criteria for different tiers of municipalities.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for eligible municipalities and shelters to clarify capacity requirements and operational standards across different tiers.

FISCAL

Revised the application process for Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account funds to include more detailed reporting requirements and evaluation criteria.

REQUIREMENT

Adjusted winter response task force composition and requirements, including changes to member representation and meeting procedures.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provisions establishing penalties for unsanctioned camping on state property and clarifying enforcement limitations for government entities.

TIMELINE

Updated winter response plan submission deadlines and compliance review timelines for counties.

TECHNICAL

Made technical corrections to section numbering and formatting throughout the bill.

Homeless Services Revisions

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