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Fine for sleeping on public property?

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This week in Lebanon, city councilors dropped an ordinance that would have fined people $100 to camp or park overnight on city land. The decision to drop the ordinance came after a public hearing which approximately 200 people attended.

Those in favor of the ordinance cited issues in recent months in several locations. Others expressed liability concerns and claimed a responsibility to address the needs of nearby businesses.

Those against the proposed ordinance, however, argued that it criminalized homelessness and violated the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail and fines or cruel and unusual punishment.

The city manager's office had worked with the Lebanon Police Department for the past 18 months to develop a “Camping and Overnight Parking on City Property Ordinance.”

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.

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