LOPPW Testifies Against Bill to Criminalize Homeless Camping
February 6, 2026
On Wednesday, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin testified against a Senate Bill 621, which would prohibit establishing a temporary residence on public property that is not designated for camping and would impose a Class C misdemeanor penalty for second and subsequent violations.
At a hearing in the Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues, and Forestry, LOPPW Director Kacy Kostiuk raised concerns about the bill’s impact on people experiencing homelessness.
“This raises serious concerns for us, both as people of faith and as advocates for effective, compassionate public policy…” she said. “Once a person loses stable housing, they often enter a downward spiral that is extremely difficult to escape. This bill risks deepening that spiral by limiting where people can sleep and criminalizing actions taken for basic survival.”
The testimony highlighted concerns about criminalizing survival actions by imposing a misdemeanor penalty. A conviction could result in up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, and would create a permanent criminal record that would appear on background checks. This could impact people’s long-term access to employment, occupational licenses, housing, and even shelter eligibility.
Another concern is the bill’s requirement for a mental health or substance use evaluation before people could stay in a structured camping facility. Although this provision seems aimed to connecting people with treatment, its implementation could be difficult because of the significant shortage of providers in Wisconsin and long wait times for treatment. Who would do the assessments? How would people access appointments? Where would they go while they awaiting treatment openings?
The bill’s effort to move people to structured camping facilities also could move people away from services and support systems they need.
A recording of the committee hearing is available from Wisconsin Eye here (LOPPW testimony begins around 53:51).