AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 13; Title 39; Title 54; Title 55 and Title 71, relative to the collection, storage, claiming, and disposal of personal property used for camping.
One significant impact of SB0217 is the formalization of procedures to handle personal property associated with camping that may be left unattended along state roads and highways. The bill mandates that any removals of such property must be preceded by a notice to vacate and a reasonable time frame for property owners to reclaim their belongings. This provision specifically seeks to protect individuals experiencing homelessness by ensuring they have a fair opportunity to retrieve their possessions before any removal occurs.
Senate Bill 217 (SB0217) proposes new regulations regarding the collection, storage, claiming, and disposal of personal property used for camping. This bill aims to address the issue of abandoned or unattended camping-related property located on public land such as highway right-of-ways. The main responsibility for implementing these regulations is assigned to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which shall develop a policy in collaboration with various local and state agencies, including law enforcement and local homeless coalitions.
There are notable points of contention surrounding this bill. Proponents argue that establishing clear guidelines for collection and disposal will help manage public spaces more effectively while providing safeguards for individuals who may have left their property temporarily. However, critics may scrutinize the adequacy of protections for homeless individuals and question whether the state's involvement will result in sufficient outreach and support services or merely facilitate the removal of their belongings without appropriate assistance.