The United States supreme court overturned a lower court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson on Friday.
The 6 – 3 ruling overturned the opinion that it was cruel and unusual to punish those sleeping outside, as well as prohibit public camping by those experiencing homelessness. The supreme court said: “Grant’s Pass’s public-camping ordinances do not criminalize status. The public-camping laws prohibit actions undertaken by any person, regardless of status.”
The city of Paso Robles released a statement on this ruling, saying they are reviewing and analyzing the ruling to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the SCOTUS’s ruling. The city says that it appears the court’s ruling returns decision-making power to the local level, which enables cities like Paso Robles to “tailor its ordinances and policies to better suit specific community needs.”
The city says this ruling provides additional tools for them to utilizing in achieving objectives identified in its strategic plan to address homelessness
