State GOP bill would criminalize street camping; Bloomington already tightened park rules — but its all-Democrat council rejected a similar sidewalk ban

Staff report

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – January 15, 2026

Indiana Senate Republicans have introduced a wide-ranging housing and public-space bill that would make it a misdemeanor to camp or sleep on state or local government property, while also restricting how cities can choose to enforce — or de-emphasize enforcement of — public camping and sidewalk obstruction laws.

Senate Bill 285, authored by Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (R-District 36) with Sen. Eric Koch (R-District 44) listed as a coauthor in legislative tracking, was read for the first time Jan. 12 and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

What SB 285 would do

The bill includes two major components:

1) Continuum of Care funding and reporting.
SB 285 would require the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to set eligibility criteria for potential recipients included in Indiana’s federal Continuum of Care application, and would require recipients of those funds to file annual reports describing their efforts to address — and whether they reduced — unsheltered homelessness. 2) A statewide “street camping” prohibition with criminal penalties and enforcement mandates.

SB 285 would prohibit a person from camping, sleeping, or using for long-term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision unless that land is authorized for that use by law. For a first violation, an officer would be required to issue a warning and offer transport to a location authorized to provide services or shelter; if the person violates the ban again after 24 hours, the bill makes it a Class C misdemeanor. The bill also targets local policy choices. It would bar cities and counties from adopting or enforcing policies that “prohibit or discourage” enforcement of orders or ordinances prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or sidewalk obstruction — and it would allow any local resident, a local business owner, or the Indiana attorney general to sue to stop a city from doing so. SB 285 further requires local law enforcement agencies to report arrests for violations to the Indiana State Police by March 1 each year, with the State Police then reporting to IHCDA by July 1. A legislative fiscal analysis dated Jan. 5 described the operational impacts as largely “minor” administrative workload increases for state agencies, but noted local jail and court cost exposure tied to new misdemeanor enforcement.

Bloomington context: the city moved early on park rules — but did not pass a right-of-way camping ban

For Bloomington readers, the key local nuance is that Bloomington government has already taken steps to limit outdoor sheltering in parks — but the closest comparable sidewalk/right-of-way ordinance was rejected by the Bloomington Common Council.

In August 2023, Bloomington’s Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved a policy that “essentially prohibits tents in parks,” and WFYI reported the daytime tent ban taking effect with police beginning enforcement. Separately, Bloomington’s Board of Public Works passed a nonbinding resolution urging restrictions on camping and obstructions in streets and sidewalks, setting the stage for — but not guaranteeing — council action. When the issue reached the Bloomington Common Council, however, the council voted down a proposed ordinance that would have explicitly prohibited camping, storing property, and blocking the public right-of-way. The ordinance failed with only two votes in favor, one abstention, and the remainder voting no.

Bloomington did not enact the broader right-of-way camping ban that SB 285 would impose statewide.

Political backdrop and who is backing it

The bill is part of a renewed push at the Statehouse after a similar “street camping” proposal drew heavy criticism in 2025 and ultimately failed to become law, according to WFYI’s reporting at the time. On Jan. 15, Indianapolis-based Axios reported that Gov. Mike Braun endorsed SB 285 in his 2026 State of the State address, framing the issue as compassion paired with “clear expectations” for public space use, while critics characterized the proposal as criminalizing homelessness.

Sponsors’ bios — and whether there’s evidence they’ve experienced homelessness

Carrasco and Koch are both attorneys whose public biographies emphasize legal and professional leadership roles.

Carrasco, elected in 2023, is listed as vice president and general counsel at the University of Indianapolis and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Koch has served in the legislature since 2002 (House) and 2016 (Senate), is an attorney, and holds senior committee roles including chair of the Senate Utilities Committee and ranking member on Judiciary. As for whether the bill’s authors or key backers have “likely ever been homeless”: there is nothing in their official bios that indicates they have experienced homelessness.

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