LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A broad-reaching public safety bill going to the Kentucky legislature is facing backlash.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 5 is headed to the State Senate

  • The bill, known as the Safer Kentucky Act, passed in the House 74-22

  • Groups such as Louisville's Coalition for the Homeless and VOCAL-Kentucky oppose the legislation as they feel it targets the unhoused population

House Bill 5, or the Safer Kentucky Act, is aimed mostly at addressing violent crime in the state. State Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, filed the bill, which has many co-sponsors.

“Criminals, not society, are accountable for their actions," Bauman said. "Society has the right to protect itself from the criminal element.”

However, the proposal has not come without controversy. 

Catherine McGeeney, communications director of Louisville's Coalition for the Homeless, said she strongly opposes a section of the legislation she feels targets the homeless population. 

"There is so much in it, including pieces that would criminalize homelessness, that would protect property owners who aim to use force against people who are on their property they deem a threat," she said. "It would limit state funding for successful housing programs for people exiting homelessness.” 

McGeeney said she specifically finds the idea of expanding Kentucky's "Stand Your Ground" statute concerning.

"If someone is unhoused and in a moment of crisis [or] perhaps just on your property, this bill would say you can physically harm them," McGeeney said. "What we know in those situations is that de-escalating people who have nowhere else to go is the right approach." 

The coalition works to prevent and end homelessness through advocacy, education and coordination with partners. It added Louisville housing programs have a 97% success rate at keeping people housed; however, funding has decreased since the 1980s.

McGeeney said last year, Louisville organizations housed 1,700 people, but more than 4,000 became homeless. 

“It’s not that our solutions aren’t working," she said. "It’s that we don’t have enough funding for the programs that do work."

"To say that jail is the answer, we know that jail doesn’t end homelessness. Housing is what ends homelessness, and funding the programs that work is what ends homelessness.” 

Marcus Young, a leader with VOCAL-Kentucky, said he also opposes the legislation as it may hurt those who have mental health issues or face barriers to gain employment. The group also does community work to help the homeless. 

"I feel like it is a bill that does nothing but damage," Young said. 

The proposal passed the House and is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.

Related Stories