New law could jail panhandlers, youth groups on street corners

In every city or town in the state, there are homeless people standing at intersections, asking for donations or food.  Asking for help could land panhandlers in jail and instead of receiving a dollar on a street corner, they could face a $200 fine.

Louisiana’s recently passed Act 678, which bans panhandling on public streets and some sidewalks across the state, has ignited a heated debate over its potential impacts and constitutionality. The bill, introduced by Representative Dixon McMakin (R-Baton Rouge) and now awaiting Governor Jeff Landry’s signature, aims to improve public safety but has drawn criticism from various quarters.

It appears heartless

  On the surface, it appears heartless because it criminalizes poverty and asking for help or donations.

The homeless are not the only targets of the proposed law; groups that are…

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