Panel advances bill allowing civil suits against organizations that provide long-term housing to undocumented immigrants in certain cases

Representative Grills presented House Bill 8 11 and its amendment, which creates a private right of action against organizations that negligently provide long-term housing services to undocumented immigrants who later commit criminal acts. The sponsor said the bill targets long-term housing assistance and explicitly excludes temporary overnight shelter, warming shelters and other short-term emergency lodging.

Julian Gordy, a Lutheran pastor and Bishop Emeritus of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, testified in opposition. He warned the bill’s language is broad and could chill faith-based charities and churches that offer aid to immigrants. “Most of the time when people do those things they are not aware of the immigration status of their neighbor,” Gordy said, and he questioned how the statute would define “housing services” and “negligence.”

Representative Grills responded that the amendment narrows the scope: “Section 2 ... housing means long term living accommodation and includes assistance with obtaining or signing a lease for an apartment or rental home but does not include temporary overnight housing such as that provided by a homeless shelter.” He told the committee the bill does not criminalize charitable work but requires organizations that house people long-term to exercise reasonable vetting and supervision.

Committee members probed whether the bill risks impinging on religious freedom and whether its negligence standard could be unclear; Representative Grills said the bill is not intended to affect emergency relief or to criminalize religious activity. After debate the committee voted to send House Bill 8 11 to full judiciary as amended; the clerk recorded 5 ayes and 1 no.

Supporters and opponents urged legislative clarification of definitions and standards during subsequent consideration in full committee.