Penalties for certain uses of public land by homeless individuals prohibited, affirmative defense in criminal proceedings provided, and civil remedies provided.

This bill prohibits local governments in Minnesota from penalizing homeless individuals for specific activities on public land, such as sleeping, eating, storing belongings, or occupying parked vehicles. It establishes a legal defense for homeless people who engage in these behaviors when no adequate alternative indoor shelter is available, defining such shelter as accessible, free, and capable of accommodating family and pets. The legislation also grants the state attorney general the power to enforce these rules and allows individuals to sue for damages or court orders if their rights are violated. Furthermore, the law overrides any conflicting local ordinances and ensures that municipalities cannot use these provisions to discriminate against homeless people or impose cruel punishment.