OLYMPIA – Today, in 56-42 vote, the House passed HB 2086, sponsored by Rep. Joan McBride, D-Kirkland, regarding religious organizations and homeless encampments.
“At its core, this is a religious rights bill,” said McBride. “It protects the right of faith-based organizations to provide shelter and refuge to the homeless and provides much needed consistency among jurisdictions in regards to homeless encampments.”
In 2009 the State Supreme Court ruled that the City of Woodinville violated the Northshore United Church of Christ’s right to free exercise of religion. The city refused an application by the church to host a homeless encampment on their own property without justification. HB 2086 is a response to a growing number of cities and counties, who are passing laws that block religious organizations from exercising their right to provide food and shelter to homeless populations.
“With significant budget challenges facing us this year, our spending options are limited, but our opportunities to partner with people of faith are significant,” said McBride. “While we continue to pass problem-solving policies that prevent new homelessness we should let our religious organizations continue their good work with homeless encampments. It’s their right and our obligation.”
HB 2086 prohibits certain limitations on the availability of religious groups to host an established rotating tent city, the length of the hosting terms and any safe parking efforts for homeless living in vehicles. It now heads to the Senate.