As cities across California ban homeless encampments and Gov. Gavin Newsom encourages more sweeps, San Jose lawmakers are standing up against criminalizing homelessness.

State Sen. Sasha Perez along with Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Alex Lee and Matt Haney have co-authored a bill that would make it illegal for cities to prohibit organizations or people from helping homeless residents. Senate Bill 643 has passed the Senate and is being considered in the Assembly.

“Providing for those that are in need is a value we should uphold and celebrate, not criminalize,” Kalra, whose district includes parts of San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy, told San José Spotlight.

He wants the bill to pass, but acknowledges there will be pressure from cities to prevent it from going through.

Lee, whose district

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