Unhoused Individuals - Rights, Civil Action, and Affirmative Defense

SB 484 establishes legal protections for unhoused individuals in Maryland by guaranteeing their right to engage in life-sustaining activities (like sleeping, resting, or sheltering in public) without penalty when adequate indoor alternatives are unavailable. It defines "adequate alternative indoor space" (e.g., 400+ sq. ft. tiny homes with basic amenities) and prohibits local governments or officials from penalizing unhoused people for these activities or offering them aid. The bill also repeals vagrancy laws, creates a civil lawsuit pathway for harmed individuals or the Attorney General, and allows an "affirmative defense of necessity" in criminal trespass cases. It directly affects unhoused residents, local law enforcement, and municipal governments by shifting penalties from individuals to government entities for enforcing prohibitions on basic survival activities.