Moed bill to curb Marion County prison-to-homelessness pipeline signed into law by governor

Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a bill authored by state Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) to curb the prison-to-homelessness pipeline in Marion County into law. House Enrolled Act 1087 allows for the Department of Correction to only transport released offenders to the county they resided in when they were convicted, unless DOC formulates a reentry plan that includes housing for that individual in a different county or if the individual has employment. This ends the DOC policy of bringing people to Indianapolis without a plan for their entry into the community.

“Over the past several years, I've collaborated with other legislators to develop and pass a bipartisan Low-Barrier Shelter Taskforce report that called for several policy interventions to improve conditions for our unhoused neighbors,” Moed said. “Halting the practice of bringing released offenders to Indianapolis who are not from the city without a plan for their reentry was one such policy recommendation, and I'm glad that we were able to get House Enrolled Act 1087 across the finish line this legislative session to do just that.

“This policy change does not come without new supports for unhoused city residents, however. This year's state biennial budget includes $20 million in direct funding for low-barrier shelter construction as well as grant opportunities. The DOC policy change in combination with capital project funding is a huge step forward in addressing the recommendations of this report and making sure that we are giving unhoused Hoosiers the best possible opportunity to seek shelter here in Indianapolis. We're not done, though. Next session, I will continue working to implement the recommendations of this report.”