Alabama Law on Homelessness?

 In my home-state of Alabama....draft bill HB24 is moving up and will likely be passed (overwhelming legislative support).

So the law (if it reaches passage)....says that two or more arrests for loitering will be a Class C misdemeanor.....meaning that your punishment then is is potentially up to 30 days in jail, and a $500 fine.  It also says that the LE guy must offer to transport the person 'somewhere' (I'm guessing out of the city or county limits), or request they leave peacefully before making an arrest.

It's what I'd call a 'hobo-law'...something that existed a good bit in the 1930s, and kept vagrancy in most states to a minimum.

Direct weapon against homelessness?  Yes.

If you are just laying around, loitering, or camping out on public ground....the LE guys will just encourage you to leave the city or county.  Will judges issue out the 30 days deal in jail?  I have my doubts....it just means spending more on food and handling....most counties in Alabama don't have room for 30 to 60 more 'guests'.  What I could see....three days to seven days of jail...to impress upon you the nature of things.

Will it trigger something to happen?  I'd suggest one of two scenarios: either the church-charity folks get all hyped-up to provide shelter space, or homeless folks get the idea to leave the state entirely.

This to be challenged in court?  Maybe, but it's encouraging people to take action or face consequences.