Laws

Texas Crash Survivor Champions Expansion of ‘Move Over’ Laws to Include All Roadside Vehicles

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San Antonio, Texas – Seventeen years after a tragic accident that transformed her life, a Texas woman is spearheading a campaign to broaden the state’s traffic safety laws to cover all stopped vehicles, not just emergency responders. Heather Haenes, who lost both legs when a car struck her as she stood between two vehicles on a highway shoulder, is collaborating with advocacy groups to push for these changes. Texas’ existing “Move Over or Slow Down” law mandates that drivers either change lanes or reduce their speed when passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and Texas … Read more

San Diego Settles Lawsuit with Enhancements to Vehicle Dwelling Laws: Homeless Advocates Celebrate Win for Unhoused Vehicle Residents

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San Diego, California — A recent legal settlement marks a significant change in the way San Diego handles its homeless population that relies on vehicles for shelter. The city has agreed to a series of measures, which will adjust enforcement of two contentious ordinances and provide amenities to those living out of their cars. The class action lawsuit, initiated in 2017, challenged local laws that prohibited people from dwelling in vehicles and issued restrictions on parking oversized vehicles overnight. Advocates for the homeless argued that these regulations unfairly targeted individuals who have no alternative but … Read more

Syracuse City Auditor Advocates for Good Cause Eviction Laws to Combat Rise in Homelessness

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Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse City Auditor Alex Marion is pressing for the swift adoption of Good Cause Eviction laws as part of efforts to address the city’s rising homelessness and eviction rates, which have surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marion, who unveiled a detailed report at the city Hall steps, asserts that the legislation is crucial for improving tenant stability and reducing associated public costs. Titled “There’s No Place Like Home,” the report elucidates the correlation between the lack of eviction protections and increasing homelessness, detailing how this not only impacts individuals … Read more

Montana Towns Reassess Urban Camping Laws in Light of New Supreme Court Ruling

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Belgrade, Mont. — In the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, cities across southwest Montana, including Belgrade, Manhattan, and Livingston, are poised to reassess their urban camping regulations. Recent judicial rulings have empowered municipalities to enforce laws against public camping, a move that could significantly impact the homeless population in the region. The Supreme Court’s 2024 judgement in Grants Pass v. Johnson has removed restrictions that previously made it illegal for cities to penalize homeless individuals for sleeping in public spaces when no shelters are available. This decision reverses an earlier ruling from … Read more