HB1091

I understand the housing issue is inconveniencing some places of business and property owners. Recently my mother-in-law had some unhoused people living in a tent in her back yard. I do not think giving unhoused people fines that they cannot pay is an adequate or sensible solution. It will likely only compound the issue of homelessness and poverty. We don't need unhoused people in the prison system which would also make it harder for them to get a job when they are released. If you must punish them for the lack of affordable housing and opportunities in New Hampshire, they should be made to do something like volunteer work or a useful skill that has the potential to parlay into sustainable work. Or a minimal fine of $25 - although I fear even that might be too much money.

How can a homeless individual afford to pay for fines for being homeless? No one WANTS to be homeless, so punishing them, especially financially, when they’re feeling rock bottom already, is just kicking a horse while it’s down. It’s cruel, in fact. Quite cruel. WHO THINKS TO DO THESE THINGS?! WHY INFLICT SUCH CRUELTY TO YOUR FELLOW HUMANS, PEOPLE IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES?! While I don’t think this bill is the end-all, be-all solution, it’s a start in the right direction. Now cut the crap with the fines. It’s ridiculous and CRUEL!

I find it ridiculous that we are trying to hold unhoused people financially responsible for sleeping outside. While this bill is not the perfect solution by any means, I support it as a measure of harm reduction.

I am both a member of the public and an elected official, but I provide this testimony as a private citizen. Poverty is not a crime. Unfortunately, it is those with the fewest means that suffer the most with monetary penalties. We have created a system wherein we create such a financial burden on those in poverty that they can never overcome it. The existing up to $1,000 fine for sleeping outside is an abomination. Do you you not think that if an unhoused person had that kind of money they would have taken steps to get at least temporary shelter. Instead we dig them further and further in until they can never get out. Giving non-monetary options can at least allow those without housing to not be further harmed by the punishment. While I do not think this is far enough, it is a start. Stop penalizing poverty. Stop making it impossible for people to overcome their circumstances. I support this bill, but I think more can be done.

This exercise in harm reduction is the absolute least we can do to support our neighbors in the granite state. Fining someone who has no money in a strictly monetary fashion is asinine, and only allows for the entrapment of our most vulnerable.

Fining a person who already cannot afford housing is counter-productive to the goal of trying to get them back into housing. It is also unlikely that person will be able to pay the fines to the municipality. This bill directly addresses that challenge and provides a non-financial penalty option allowing the municipality to recoup the penalty more easily, and the person impacted a way to clear the fine without financial impact to their ability to acquire permanent housing.

I’m in support of this because it would allow municipalities more discretion and local control to implement initiatives that align with the unique needs of each community- rather than take a uniformed approach to problem solving that may not be equally successful for the diverse communities within NH. I would like to think increased local control and decision- making will garner bipartisan and majority support. Thank you.

It seems to me that the effort to collect money from unhoused people who are sleeping rough MUST, SURELY be a waste of tax payer money. And talk about adding insult to injury. These fines are ludicrous! How about if we get rid of fines, of any sort, and focus on solving the real problem of inadequate affordable housing.

As a community, we should be doing more to support the most vulnerable in our community. This is a small step.

If they had the money they wouldn’t be sleeping on the street.

This Bill makes sense. Requiring homeless individuals to pay a fine for sleeping outdoors is counterproductive. If they didn't have to, they wouldn't. HB 1091 lists reasonable alternatives to a monetary fine. Vote in the affirmative for HB1091.

This bill is a no-brainer. Fining someone with no financial resources is counterproductive and only adds to their sense of hopelessness. Offering an alternative would help them maintain some sense of dignity.

Given the social, economic and political circumstances that are forcing more of our citizens into homelessness, we should do everything in our power to make the unfathomable reality of being unhoused and sleeping outside less, not more, difficult. Personally, I am opposed to imposing penalties at all against someone who is sleeping outside, but I support this effort to make the reality less onerous for folks who are not in a financial situation to pay fines.

We need to be a humane and kind society, not a cruel and unforgiving one. On a practical note, fining is perpetuating the problem of homelessness.

All towns and cities have different challenges in managing homelessness, and therefore should have different solutions and/or penalties. This bill allows for both financial and non-financial penalties that may assist towns, cities, and individuals in being more effective, and be better than financial penalties alone (which probably cannot be effectively collected).

This makes good sense: ask unhomed persons to repay their transgression of living unhomed by providing the community with work they are capable of instead of trying to get money from persons who don't have the money.

If a person is unhoused, they likely have very little money. To impose a financial penalty would only create a larger problem for someone with already existing financial issues. Nonfinancial penalties are more humane. Please support this bill and help the unhoused to more stable, responsible citizens. Thank you

This bill presents a positive approach to supporting individuals by promoting community service as an alternative to imposing severe fines. It is evident that individuals experiencing homelessness lack the financial means to secure housing. While some may have employment and are actively saving for safe housing, fines would deprive them of these funds, perpetuating their homelessness. This is an undesirable outcome. Individuals without financial resources are unable to pay fines, which could trap them in a cycle of debt that is difficult to overcome. The community service option provides an alternative to this financial punishment for those in need and has the potential to yield positive outcomes such as community contribution, training opportunities, access to support resources, and reintegration into society. As a resident of Keene, I find it illogical that we impose fines on individuals who are compelled to sleep outdoors and lack the financial means to pay these fines. HB 1091 provides a viable solution to assist individuals rather than burden them with substantial, likely uncollectible debts. I urge our lawmakers to consider this bill as a means to avoid exorbitant fines imposed on homeless individuals and provide a pathway for their integration into our communities through community service. I strongly recommend that this bill be enacted.

Piling fines on top of poor people is not a responsible way for municipalities to manage our statewide housing crisis. This bill requires them to be a little more thoughtful in how they are treating people and encourages cities and towns to act in ways that help, rather than causing harm.

I strongly support for HB 1091. This legislation represents a pragmatic and compassionate shift in how municipalities address the complex issue of homelessness. By allowing for nonmonetary penalties in lieu of fines for those sleeping or camping outdoors, this bill moves our state away from a cycle of debt and toward meaningful solutions for both the individual and the community. The current practice of imposing financial penalties on individuals who are forced to sleep outdoors due to financial hardship is fundamentally counterproductive. When an individual is already experiencing a housing crisis, a fine—which can reach up to $1,000 creates an insurmountable barrier to stability. These fines can lead to bench warrants or criminal records for failure to pay, making it even harder for the individual to secure future employment or housing. HB 1091 recognizes that you cannot fine a person out of poverty. By offering a nonmonetary option, the state ensures that the legal system does not inadvertently deepen the very homelessness it seeks to manage. The core strength of HB 1091 is its encouragement of rehabilitative justice. Instead of collecting a fee that the town may never see, municipalities can direct individuals toward actions that actually address the root causes of their situation. Nonmonetary penalties can include mandatory engagement with drug treatment programs, mental health counseling, or human services. Individuals may perform community service, allowing them to contribute to the town in a visible way while maintaining their dignity and sense of agency. This bill is not just an act of compassion; it is an act of fiscal and social responsibility for our towns and cities. By addressing underlying issues like substance use disorder or lack of social support, we reduce the likelihood of repeat violations. Police and court resources are better spent on public safety rather than processing small-claim fines from indigent populations. Directing people to services rather than a jail cell or a collections agency creates a more sustainable path toward cleared public spaces and a healthier community overall. HB 1091 provides our local governments with the flexibility they need to handle homelessness with a focus on long-term results rather than short-term punishment. I respectfully urge the committee to recommend a vote of Ought to Pass on this important measure.

We need to find positive ways to help unhoused individuals take steps to establish a more stable life for themselves. Encouragement, community involvement, collaboration, understanding and kindness go a long way.

The unhoused need a fair tax structure in NH, a Living Wage for every job, reasonable workforce e and middle housing options, not a mean-spirited death sentence that will only fill our jails.

HB1091 provides a cost free penalty option that does not drive the homeless deeper into debt.