Reject Harmful Expansion of Burglary Laws

I urge you to oppose HB1218 (Hinman) and SB318 (Schroer). These bills, though presented as a tool to safeguard businesses, threaten fundamental rights and freedoms by expanding burglary laws in ways that risk punishing vulnerable populations, silencing dissent, and eroding labor protections. Its vague definitions and broad application could criminalize everyday actions, disproportionately harming those already marginalized. The bills' expansion of “restricted areas” in commercial spaces could penalize unhoused individuals seeking basic dignity. A person entering an unlocked storage area to use a restroom or escape extreme weather—without intent to steal or cause harm—could face misdemeanor charges. This conflates survival with criminality, worsening homelessness through punitive measures instead of addressing systemic failures like housing shortages and poverty. Such policies deepen cycles of incarceration rather than offering solutions. Equally concerning is the bills' potential to undermine labor rights. Employees engaged in strikes or workplace disputes often access areas like break rooms or storage spaces as part of their routine duties. Under this law, employers could weaponize accusations of “intent to commit a crime” to retaliate against disgruntled or organizing workers. Peaceful strikes or protests could be misconstrued as burglary, chilling workers’ ability to advocate for fair wages, safe conditions, or unionization—a direct assault on decades of labor rights progress. The legislation also risks suppressing free assembly and protest. A demonstrator near a commercial property who inadvertently steps into a poorly marked “restricted” zone—even momentarily—could face criminal charges. This ambiguity grants law enforcement excessive discretion to target protesters, equating civil disobedience with burglary. Such overreach undermines First Amendment freedoms and creates a chilling effect on public dissent. Furthermore, terms like “clearly marked” and “intent to commit a crime” are dangerously subjective, inviting biased enforcement. Marginalized communities, already over-policed, will bear the brunt of these ambiguities. Escalating penalties for repeat offenses compound this harm, punishing poverty and trapping individuals in the criminal legal system for minor, nonviolent acts. Existing trespassing and burglary laws already address legitimate security concerns. Expanding these statutes is unnecessary and risks harming those least able to navigate legal consequences. Rather than criminalizing survival and dissent, lawmakers should prioritize housing, mental health services, worker protections, and community resources. These bills prioritize punishment over justice. I urge you to reject them and pursue policies that uphold dignity, equity, and constitutional rights for all.