2025 Legislative Update: Protecting the Rights of Those Sheltering in Vehicles

by | Feb 24, 2025 | General

Session Update! CLS advocates are working hard to advance racial and economic equity in Washington this legislative session. Here’s an update from week six:

FEATURED BILL

Protecting the rights of people who shelter in their vehicles. HB 1240

As the homelessness crisis continues to worsen, more and more people are being forced to live in their vehicles. Even after a Washington Supreme Court decision protected the rights of people sheltering in their vehicles (Seattle v. Long, 2021), courts around the state are failing to respect those protections. CLS seeks to codify the Long decision to ensure the rights of people who shelter in their vehicles are protected as required by law. The bill protects people who live in their vehicles from losing their only shelter because of fines and fees they can’t pay.

The bill is waiting for a vote by the House Transportation Committee. We’ve negotiated some amendments to clarify the obligations of law enforcement, cities, and local courts. Reach out to your legislators on House Transportation and ask them to pass this important bill out of committee!

Where are CLS’ other priority bills right now?

Fighting for free calls between people in prison and their families SB 5231 (Hansen) / HB 1301 (Peterson)

SB 5231 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means today, February 24th at 1:30 PM. HB 1301 was heard in the House Committee on Community Safety on January 28th.

Protecting the rights of people who shelter in their vehicles HB 1240 (Peterson)

This bill was heard in the House Transportation Committee on January 30th.

Establishing independent oversight of Washington jails SB 5005 (Saldaña) / HB 1424 (Obras)

SB 5005 was referred to Ways & Means.

Requiring reasonable regulation of the use of public spaces HB 1380 (Gregerson)

This bill is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Appropriations on February 27th at 9:00 AM.

Improving health and safety for people held in private detention facilities HB 1232 (Ortiz-Self)

This bill is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Appropriations on February 25th at 1:30 PM.

HB 1240: Protecting the rights of people who shelter in their vehicles

Ensures that the rights of people who must shelter in their vehicles are protected as required by law.

What you can do to support:

  • Join us in reaching out to your legislators in the House Committee on Transportation and ask them to pass this important bill out of committee!

Stay tuned for more updates and learn more about CLS’ 2024 legislative efforts here.