The state Senate has voted to prohibit K-12 schools from charging fees for certain classes, sports and clubs.
Democratic Sen. Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach says "free schools are and should remain at the heart of our democracy."
He says the bill does not prohibit strictly voluntary fees for students' books, lab equipment and art supplies. It does prohibit schools from making such payments a prerequisite for joining teams or clubs.
AB165 by Democratic Assemblyman Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens cleared the Senate on a 23-15 vote Thursday. It returns to the Assembly for a final vote on Senate amendments.
