NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, has proposed legislation to support homeless Tennesseans by ensuring adequate housing and support services before being relocated to a new city. House Bill 1671 would prohibit local governments from relocating homeless people to another jurisdiction without written consent from the receiving municipality. The proposal also restricts the […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, has proposed legislation to support homeless Tennesseans by ensuring adequate housing and support services before being relocated to a new city.
House Bill 1671 would prohibit local governments from relocating homeless people to another jurisdiction without written consent from the receiving municipality. The proposal also restricts the use of public funds for relocation purposes unless the receiving jurisdiction has available housing and other necessary services.
“No local government should be relocating Tennesseans to unfamiliar places without transparency and coordination,” said Rudd. “This legislation protects the limited resources of communities across the Volunteer State by ensuring proper advance notification and approval. Homeless individuals deserve compassion, and this is a critical step in getting them the housing, support and resources they need.”
Jurisdictions impacted by violations of this measure could seek damages and injunctive relief against the local government that improperly relocated individuals, according to the legislation.
House Bill 1671 advanced out of the Cities and Counties Subcommittee on Feb. 18 and will be considered by the State and Local Government Committee in the coming weeks.
State Rep. Tim Rudd represents District 34 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Rutherford County.