A 5452 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Prohibits imprisonment for sleeping or camping in public spaces

This bill, known as the SLEEP Act, prohibits jail time, fines, or removal for sleeping or camping in publicly accessible spaces like sidewalks, parks, streets, and doorways. It specifically excludes cases where individuals block access to public areas or pose an immediate safety threat. The law amends civil rights protections to prevent local governments from creating rules that contradict this prohibition. It directly affects unhoused individuals and local law enforcement practices regarding public space use.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A5452 A5452A · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to broaden the protection against arrest by adding 'sitting, lying down, standing, or squatting' to the list of activities, and by expanding the list of protected public spaces to include underpasses, bridges, and mass transit facilities. Additionally, the amendment introduces a critical new provision preventing hospitals from detaining individuals solely because they are sleeping in public due to mental illness.
Scope change
The scope of the bill was significantly expanded to cover more types of public spaces and specific physical activities, and a new protection was added regarding hospital detention for individuals with mental illness.
SCOPE

Expanded the list of protected activities from just 'sleeping' to include 'sitting, lying down, standing, or squatting'.

Added 'underpasses, bridges, and mass transit facilities' to the list of protected public spaces.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new provision prohibiting hospitals from retaining or admitting individuals for observation solely because they are sleeping in public due to mental illness.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 5452A
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CODES
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors