Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham's is the bill's sponsor.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A proposal aimed at stopping Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight at the Capitol complex has passed the Senate.
The measure, sponsored by Republican Sen. Dolores Gresham, was approved 20-10 on Thursday. The companion bill passed the House 70-26 last week
The legislation will now return to the lower chamber for concurrence after an amendment was added.
The legislation would make it a misdemeanor to lay down "bedding for the purpose of sleeping." It refers to items associated with camping.
Protesters have camped at the plaza since early October. At one time there were as many as 60 tents, but that number is now less than half, mainly because of the proposed legislation.
Under the proposal, violators would be fined as much as $2,500 and face up to nearly a year in jail.
Supporters say the bill is necessary because of criminal activity and lewd behavior at the encampment.
*The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Previous Stories:
- Feb. 16, 2012: Anti-Occupy Nashville bill passes House
- Feb. 15, 2012: Lawmakers may ban protesters from camping at plaza
- Feb. 14, 2012: Occupy protesters announce plans to move encampment
- Feb. 12, 2012: Occupy Nashville protesters consider withdrawing
- Feb. 7, 2012: House sends anti-Occupy bill to full floor vote
- Jan. 30, 2012: Bill would ban public camping, force Occupy tent removal
- Dec. 30, 2011: Man charged with setting tent at Occupy camp ablaze
- Dec. 25, 2011: Protesters occupy Tenn. plaza on Christmas Day
- Dec. 4, 2011: Police arrest 13 protesters associated with Occupy Nashville
- Nov. 20, 2011: Protesters prepare for indefinite stay on plaza
- Nov. 14, 2011: Citations issued to Occupy Nashville protesters dismissed
- Nov. 10, 2011: Governor seeks to drop Occupy Nashville charges
- Nov. 9, 2011: Staffer says she was urinated on near Occupy Nashville protesters
- Nov. 4, 2011: Occupy movement spreads to Murfreesboro
- Nov. 3, 2011: Occupy Nashville protesters deliver letter to governor
- Nov. 2, 2011: Faces of Occupy Nashville revealed
- Nov. 1, 2011: Occupy Nashville comes with cost
- Nov. 1, 2011: Haslam: Curfew, arrests, necessary for safety
- Oct. 31, 2011: Tenn. agrees to stop arresting Occupy protesters
- Oct. 30, 2011: Occupy Nashville protesters expect arrests
- Oct. 29, 2011: Judge dismisses Occupy Nashville warrants
- Oct. 28, 2011: Arrested Occupy protesters issued citations, released
- Oct. 26, 2011: Occupy Nashville protesters stand their ground
- Oct. 18, 2011: Occupy Nashville protesters march through downtown
- Oct. 6, 2011:'Occupy Nashville' protest held at Legislative Plaza
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