DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County officials have put off the decision on an ordinance to ban urban camping in public spaces.

According to DeKalb County Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, there are concerns about it.

“If this urban camping ordinance passes, that will increase our exposure to be sued as a result of House Bill 295,” Spears said.

Many activists have opposed the controversial legislation, saying the new legislation would criminalize homelessness.

After the county’s legal team takes another look at the ordinance, the commission is set to plan to hold a special meeting at a later date.

According to the Georgia General Assembly, House Bill 295 is “to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to 2 general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to provide 3 procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation from local 4 governments for loss of property value or expenses incurred due to the local government’s 5 failure to comply with or nonenforcement of certain laws, ordinances, and resolutions or due 6 to the local government maintaining a public nuisance.”