Subcommittee advances bill allowing civil suits against groups that provide long-term housing to undocumented immigrants

April 2025 — The Civil Justice Subcommittee voted to send House Bill 811 to full judiciary as amended. The measure creates a civil cause of action against charitable organizations or other entities that assist undocumented immigrants with long-term housing where the organization's conduct is negligent, grossly negligent or willful and wanton.

Sponsor Representative Grills said the bill targets organizations that knowingly assist undocumented immigrants in obtaining long-term living accommodations, excluding temporary overnight shelter such as homeless shelters or warming centers. "This does not include temporary housing such as an overnight housing, a storm shelter, a homeless shelter, warming shelters and things of that nature," the sponsor told the committee.

Julian Gordy, a Lutheran pastor and former bishop, testified in opposition. Gordy warned the bill's language is broad and could chill faith-based charities and volunteers who often do not know an individual's immigration status. He told the committee the bill "leaves room for unintended and unfortunate consequences" and argued it could make acts of compassion criminal or expose religious actors to civil liability.

Sponsor and supporters said the bill aims to require organizations to exercise vigilance when providing long-term housing and to allow civil remedies where the housing assistance constitutes negligence or worse. The committee voted 5 ayes and 1 no to advance the measure.

Background: Supporters framed the bill as protecting communities and requiring vetting by organizations that provide long-term housing; opponents warned it could curtail religious and charitable services and raised concerns about broad and uncertain definitions in the text.