SACRAMENTO – Today Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) announced that the Assembly Committee on Public Safety rejected his bill, AB 257, which would have prohibited homeless encampments within 500 feet of a school, daycare center, playground, or youth center. The bill was killed on a 2-6 party line vote.
“This bill is about one thing and one thing only: ensuring the safety of our residents and kids near parks and schools,” said Assemblyman Hoover. “I am disappointed that my colleagues voted down this bill today, but I will not stop working to keep our communities safe.”
In 2022 alone there were three murders committed by homeless individuals in Assemblyman Hoover’s Sacramento County Assembly District. Last February, a 20 year old community college student in Rancho Cordova was raped and killed on the American River Parkway. In September, a Carmichael man was murdered in “an unprovoked and senseless homicide.” Then just three months ago a Rancho Cordova man was killed while riding his bike near a preschool.
San Juan School Board Member Saul Hernandez also participated in the hearing to testify in support, stating: “It only takes one unstable person to do irreparable harm, which makes allowing these encampments near our schools a risk we can’t afford to take. Parents should have the peace of mind that their children can walk or ride their bikes to and from school safely.”
Also testifying in support was Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Garrett Gatewood, who stated: “Homelessness is a humanitarian, environmental, and public safety crisis, but the collective failure to solve the homeless problem should not be compounded by further endangering our citizens and our children.”
Josh Hoover represents Assembly District 7, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova and the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.