LOUISVILLE, Ky. — March 29 marks the first day of the governor’s 10-day veto period, with hundreds of bills heading to the desk of Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., for his consideration.

 One of these bills is known as the “Safer Kentucky Act.”

Over 100 Kentucky organizations oppose the bill and provided testimony to House Bill 5 earlier this month. Supporters of the bill say it addresses violent crime and people without homes. But community leaders fear the bill could make some groups of people less safe.

Vocal-Ky Executive Director and Louisville Metro Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright, D-District 3, believes the bill would be harmful for vulnerable populations including those facing houselessness. The issue is personal to her. She was unhoused while pregnant with three kids, and she ended up living in her car.

“I felt very vulnerable to losing my kids, to people not understanding that I was still a good mom. I just didn’t have a place for us to live because I was I was poor,” Parrish-Wright says. 

The mom of six says it can be hard for families to get a space in shelters. She says she was lucky to have a car.

House Bill 5 would impact those who sleep on the streets. People who knowingly camp in areas designated for pedestrians and vehicles would be subject to a violation on the first offense and then a Class B misdemeanor for the second offense. 

Parish-Wright believes the bill’s consequences could make it harder for those to find housing.

“Any recent arrests can stop you from getting housing and getting approved for housing. And that is scary because that holds you back and then you’re forced in some terrible situations.”

On a local level, agencies could designate some commercial or industrial use as temporary camping for unhoused people. 

The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, a progressive think tank, says in the next 10 years, the legislation could cost over $1 billon because of longer sentences put in place by the bill.