MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A case before the U.S. Supreme Court Monday could have major impacts on homeless policies in Vermont and across the country.
The case started in the rural Oregon town of Grants Pass, which began fining people $295 for sleeping outside in the city’s public parks. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the law under its holding that banning camping in places without enough shelter beds amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
In some Vermont communities, authorities have been ticketing and citing people who are camping on public lands. In other locations, including Montpelier, city officials have tried to steer camping to designated areas since the appeals court’s decision.
Jared, Carter, a professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School says the outcome of the case could have a big impact here. “If the court decides that such actions violate the 8th Amendment, then cities, towns, and states are actually going to have to confront this problem instead of just moving people around,” he said.
A decision from the high court could take weeks or even months.