Sanchez ordinance would ban fines for homelessness

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council will vote Thursday on an ordinance that would ban punishment for people experiencing homelessness.

Majority whip Miguel Sanchez’s ordinance would bans fines for sleeping in a public space.

The ordinance cites the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass vs. Johnson decision which left municipalities to regulate public property camping.

Cities including Fall River, Cranston and West Warwick have already enacted homeless encampment bans.

The city council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday.