Eden Village Files Lawsuit Against Attorney General, State of Missouri

After a recently passed bill was signed by Governor Mike Parson, a local business that combats homelessness is attempting to fight it.

House Bill 1606 was signed on July 29th of this year. According to The Gathering Tree, which provides shelter to the homeless, the bill will negatively affect the organization.

The organization alleges the bill only allows government funding for shelter in specific areas such as camping facilities and parking areas, which they say limits their capabilities and could jeapordize their funding.

The Gathering Tree also says the bill increases legal punishment for homeless people if they are caught sleeping on state land and for being seen on sidewalks and streets statewide.

In a statement Monday, the organization says they filed suit in Cole County against both the State of Missouri and Attorney General Eric Schmitt in his current capacity. In the releases’ final paragraph, the organization says their wish is that the lawsuit will prevent the enforcement of the bill.