Living on the street or in other public spaces would become illegal in almost any situation under a new bill authored by New Orleans Democratic Rep. Alonzo Knox.
Knox’s bill, House Bill 619, would also give private citizens and businesses like his Backatown Coffee shop the ability to compel the city to enforce the law.
HB 619 specifically bans “camping” in “public areas and rights of way not specifically designated for that purpose.” It defines “camping” as “lodging or residing overnight in an outdoor space,” whether that’s with a tent, blanket or other temporary shelter — or even without one…