Forum Post: RI lawmakers consider "Homeless Bill of Rights"

The so-called "Homeless Bill of Rights" is intended to prohibit landlords, police, health care workers and others from treating homeless people unfairly. The legislation's sponsor, Sen. John J. Tassoni, said most Rhode Islanders don't realize homeless people frequently encounter discrimination.

"If it doesn't affect you personally it's easy to forget about these people," said Tassoni, a Smithfield Democrat. "This would give people something to rely on. These people are already struggling, and too often they have their dignity taken away from them too."

The bill specifically guarantees homeless people equal access to voting, housing, public buildings, public transportation, social services, employment and law enforcement. http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2012/01/17/ri_lawmakers_consider_homeless_bill_of_rights/