The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that will determine whether cities that prevent homeless individuals from camping on public property violate the Eighth Amendment.
The case could grant officials more power to penalize unhoused people who set up encampments by overturning a previous ruling that deemed it cruel and unusual punishment.
California lawmakers, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have called for clarity on what qualifies as adequate shelter and have expressed frustration with rulings that prevent officials from addressing homelessness.