HB 5235 — AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS ON PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

House of Representatives General Assembly FileSubstitute Bill No.

4095235 February Session, 2026 SubstituteAN HouseACT BillCONCERNING No.NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS ON PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

5235 House of Representatives, April 7, 2026 The Committee on Transportation reported through REP.

BERGER-GIRVALO of the 111th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS ON PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

and sHB5235(3) /"Personal Fileproperty" No.means an item that can reasonably be identified as belonging to a person, has apparent value or utility and is not hazardous.

409LCO 1 sHB5235of File3 Substitute Bill No.

4095235 (3)(b) "PersonalExcept property"as meansprovided in subsection (c) of this section, prior to the removal of an itemencampment located upon any state highway right-of- way or real property owned by the state and in the custody and control of the Department of Transportation, the department shall provide at least fourteen days' written notice that canspecifies reasonablythe bedate identifiedand astime belongingsuch toremoval awill person,take hasplace apparentand valuethat no person or utilitypersonal andproperty is notpermitted hazardous.to remain on the state highway right-of-way or real property after such date.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, prior to the removal of an encampment located upon any state highway right-of- way or real property owned by the state and in the custody and control of the Department of Transportation, the department shall provide at least fourteen days' written notice that specifies the date and time such removal will take place and that no person or personal property is permitted to remain on the state highway right-of-way or real property after such date.

(1) Best practices from sHB5235other /states Fileor municipalities regarding (A) the provision of advance notices concerning the removal of an encampment to a person residing at such encampment, including methods and reasonable timeframes for LCO 2 of 3 Substitute Bill No.

4095235 2providing sHB5235such Filenotices No.and the frequency of such notices, and (B) the treatment of personal property during a removal of an encampment, (2) procedures for outreach and engagement by trained personnel that ensure respect for the personal dignity and property of persons at such encampments, (3) appropriate state and local agencies to offer immediate assistance and support to such persons for emergency shelters, transitional housing or permanent housing, social services or other interventions prior to and during the removal of an encampment, (4) guidance, training or technical assistance that could be provided to state and local agencies and municipalities regarding humane and effective practices for responding to, managing and removing such encampments, and (5) ways to ensure coordination with the municipality where the encampment is located, community-based organizations serving persons experiencing homelessness, local housing authorities, other local service providers and the local law enforcement agency, as appropriate, prior to the removal of an encampment.

409 other states or municipalities regarding (A) the provision of advance notices concerning the removal of an encampment to a person residing at such encampment, including methods and reasonable timeframes for providing such notices and the frequency of such notices, and (B) the treatment of personal property during a removal of an encampment, (2) procedures for outreach and engagement by trained personnel that ensure respect for the personal dignity and property of persons at such encampments, (3) appropriate state and local agencies to offer immediate assistance and support to such persons for emergency shelters, transitional housing or permanent housing, social services or other interventions prior to and during the removal of an encampment, (4) guidance, training or technical assistance that could be provided to state and local agencies and municipalities regarding humane and effective practices for responding to, managing and removing such encampments, and (5) ways to ensure coordination with the municipality where the encampment is located, community-based organizations serving persons experiencing homelessness, local housing authorities, other local service providers and the local law enforcement agency, as appropriate, prior to the removal of an encampment.

sHB5235HSG /Joint FileFavorable No.LCO 3 of 3

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409 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill has no fiscal impact as described below.

Section 1 has no fiscal impact by requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide the necessary notice before removing an encampment located on any state road or DOT-controlled property.

The bill generally conforms to current agency practices.

Section 2 has no fiscal impact as both DOT and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) have the necessary expertise to jointly study and make recommendations on best practices and standards to use when responding to, managing, or removing the encampments described in the bill.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None sHB5235 / File No.

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409 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5235 AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS ON PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

SUMMARY This bill establishes a notice requirement applicable to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) (or their agents’ or contractors’) removal of certain encampments.

A “removal” is the full or partial clearing of these sites, including requiring people to leave the property and collecting, relocating, discarding, or disposing of habitation-related structures or materials and personal property.

The bill generally requires DOT, before removing an encampment located on any state road right-of-way or state-owned, DOT-controlled property, to give at least 14 days’ written notice stating (1) the removal’s date and time and (2) that no person or personal property can remain on the right-of-way or property after the removal date.

DOT must at least post this notice, printed in English and Spanish, at the encampment’s apparent entry, exit, and common areas.

When doing so, the department may also give oral or written notice to anyone present.

The bill (1) exempts DOT from this notice requirement if the commissioner determines the removal is needed due to a transportation operations, infrastructure, or public safety emergency and (2) requires him to document the reasons for the determination in writing.

The bill also requires the DOT and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) commissioners to jointly study and make recommendations on best practices and standards to use when responding to, managing, or removing the encampments described above.

sHB5235 / File No.

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409 Under the bill, an “encampment” is any outdoor location where at least one person sleeps, lives, or stores personal property (items that can reasonably be identified as personal belongings, have apparent value or utility, and are not hazardous) using tents, tarps, bedding, or other temporary shelter or structures for habitation.

It does not include a campground or other location authorized for recreational camping by a federal, state, or municipal agency or a private property owner.

EFFECTIVE DATE: