Make Our Streets Safe Again Act; MOSSA Act
Summary
The Make Our Streets Safe Again Act (MOSSA) aims to reduce crime and disorder by addressing homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. It encourages civil commitment for individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others and prioritizes grant funding for states and municipalities that enforce prohibitions on illicit drug use, camping, and loitering. The bill also seeks to redirect federal resources toward effective methods of addressing homelessness and increase accountability in homelessness programs.
Expected Effects
The MOSSA Act could lead to increased civil commitments and stricter enforcement of laws against vagrancy. Federal resources may be shifted away from harm reduction strategies towards treatment and recovery programs. The Act may also result in changes to housing assistance programs, with increased requirements for substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
Potential Benefits
- Increased public safety through reduced crime and disorder.
- Improved access to treatment for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Greater accountability in homelessness assistance programs.
- More effective use of federal resources in addressing homelessness.
- Potential reduction in the number of individuals living on the streets.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for infringement on individual liberties through increased civil commitment.
- Possible discrimination against individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders.
- Risk of unintended consequences from stricter enforcement of vagrancy laws.
- Potential reduction in funding for harm reduction programs.
- Increased burden on state and local governments to provide treatment and housing.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
Several aspects of the MOSSA Act raise constitutional concerns. The emphasis on civil commitment may implicate the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches and seizures) and the Fourteenth Amendment (due process and equal protection). The First Amendment may be implicated if the enforcement of prohibitions on camping and loitering infringes on the right to assemble and protest. The Tenth Amendment, reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, could be relevant depending on the extent to which the federal government directs state and local policies.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).