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Stuart's City Commission last night approved a new ordinance that allows trespass warnings to be issued to anyone found sleeping in public spaces.
The city manager says they are doing this solely to keep the city from getting sued. A state law passed last year bans public sleeping and gives residents the power to sue municipalities if it is not being followed.
The Stuart ordinance states that someone who gets a trespass warning would need to receive permission to return to that location for 12 months and they can be arrested if found sleeping there without permission.
Meanwhile city leaders are hoping to work with Martin County officials to find additional resources for the homeless.