Moed bill to combat prison-to-homelessness pipeline passes out of committee

Today, a bill authored by Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) to fight an ongoing contributing factor to homelessness in Indianapolis passed out of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code by an 13-0 vote. House Bill 1087 would stipulate that the Department of Correction may only transport released offenders to the county they resided in at the time of their conviction upon their release.

“We need to help released offenders re-enter into society in a place where they can thrive,” Moed said. “It's cruel to send people to a place they've never called home without a plan for where they're going to stay the night. There are a host of re-entry resources offered throughout the state by the Department of Correction, local government and nonprofits. It's critical that no one in need goes unassisted. Transporting folks without a housing re-entry plan is getting in the way of that by overwhelming communities like Indianapolis.”    

“I will continue advocating for this legislation as it moves through the process.”