The California senate passed legislation on Thursday that would ban schools from charging students required fees to join sports teams or other extracurricular clubs.
In June, the state assembly approved the bill—which argues that pay-to-play sports violate the state constitution’s promise to deliver free public schooling to students—by a 50-17 vote.
The senate vote ended up being much closer—23-15. The amended version now heads back to the assembly for a final vote.
“Free schools are and should remain at the heart of our democracy,” said Democratic Sen. Alan Lowenthal to the Associated Press.
The bill does