The Florida Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would prohibit homeless people from camping in public places without permission from the state government, Click Orlando reports.

of measurement It was approved after a sharply divided party split of 27 to 12. according to outlet. If passed, the law would reportedly require local governments to only allow homeless encampments in locations that are permissible under standards set by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Florida to ban homeless people from sleeping on public property https://t.co/qqKn4b1PyD

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The Florida House of Representatives passed the bill last week, and the bill will now go to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk to be signed, the newspaper reported. Governor DeSantis has reportedly expressed his support for the bill. (Related article: State reportedly moves to raise minimum age for strippers despite Democratic concerns)

The governor previously said he didn't want “Sodom and Gomorrah” homeless encampments on Florida's streets, but said it was “important” to address mental health issues among the homeless. added, Florida Politics report.

“It can't just be a place like Sodom and Gomorrah, where people are using drugs and doing this kind of thing. We need to have a situation where they can get help,” the governor reportedly said.

The governor proposed reinstating the practice of institutionalization. according to Florida politics.

According to a report in Click Orlando, the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin of Florida, said, “With a lack of shelter beds and insufficient permanent housing solutions, shelters in public places are not available. There will be unused sleeping and camping,” he said. “This bill compassionately addresses the lack of shelter and supportive housing by providing an alternative to sleeping on the streets.”

Senate Democratic Leader Loren Book said the bill has too many problems, “doesn't have answers” to certain logistical questions and is “not the way” to adequately address homelessness in Florida. politics report. Mr. Book asked if the bill addressed whether animals would be allowed in these camps, to which Sen. Martin said he would leave that to a future bill.

If passed, this bill would go into effect on October 1, 2024. according to to the legislature.