A bill to impose criminal penalties for camping on public property in the District of Columbia.

This bill would create a new criminal offense in the District of Columbia: camping on public property. It defines camping as using any material to set up, maintain, or establish a temporary place of abode. It would be unlawful to camp on public property in DC, and someone who camps could be fined up to $500, imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. The measure is concise and creates a straightforward punishment for engaging in camping on public property, with no additional exemptions or procedures spelled out in the text. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Tom Cotton (as indicated in the bill text) and is currently at the introduction stage with no enacted provisions or funding mechanisms attached. It does not address homelessness, shelter availability, or alternatives to camping, nor does it provide exceptions for emergency situations or basic humanitarian considerations.