Local bans on homeless people sleeping in public earn Supreme Court review

The Supreme Court said Friday it would consider whether local laws prohibiting homeless people from sleeping on public property is cruel and unusual punishment barred by the Constitution.  

The Oregon city of Grants Pass asked the high court to review a lower court’s decision to block it from enforcing its public camping ordinance, writing that the decision “cemented a conflict” with California courts that have upheld similar ordinances.  

The city cited a slew of potential consequences for allowing the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to stand, including...