INDIANAPOLIS – State Sen. La Keisha Jackson (D-Indianapolis) today issued a strong response to the revival of language in House Bill (HB) 1014 that would criminalize homelessness by banning individuals from staying in public areas.

“Placing homeless individuals in jail is not solving the problem,” Jackson said. “A real solution would involve funding low-barrier shelters, offering accessible mental health services, creating collaborative outreach programs and funding transitional and permanent housing for the homeless to help people permanently transition off the streets.”

Jackson criticized the bill’s approach as inhumane and ineffective, emphasizing the humanity of those affected.

“I am utterly appalled that this is the response to homelessness—punishment, not compassion or coordinated support,” she said. “These are real people—sons, daughters, siblings, parents. Our response to someone’s lowest moment should not be incarceration.”

The original bill, HB 1662, set public camping as a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail. Jackson noted that incarcerating individuals experiencing homelessness would be a costly approach, with estimates averaging the cost of incarceration at $64.53 per day.

“Not only is this fiscally irresponsible, it is a revolving door,” she said. “Once someone is arrested, booked and serves their time, they’re released with no job, no housing and no support—only to face arrest again.”

Jackson cautioned driving up expenditures to local governments following the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1, which is projected to put local governments across the state at a $1.4 billion loss.

“At a time when local governments are seeing drastic decreases in revenue, we need to really think about what we are asking local units to spend their limited dollars on,” said Jackson. “We need to be ever-focused on public education, Medicaid, child care, getting rid of food deserts, and support for retirees, not on forcing homeless individuals in jail. The state needs to get their priorities straight, especially in a tight budget such as the one we are in.”

Jackson urged lawmakers to consider the long-term consequences of criminalizing homelessness and to choose empathy over enforcement.

“This cycle will never be broken unless the state and local leaders stand up and offer real solutions,” she said. “These individuals are struggling. They need help—not jail time.”