Nebraska lawmakers advance a bill requiring students to stay in school until they turn 18 years old.
The proposed bill would eliminate an exception in state law allowing students to drop out of school at age 16 with a parent or guardians written consent.
The bill has won support from the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, the State Board of Education and the Nebraska Association of School Boards.
Scottsbluff Senator John Harms took the floor to express his approval of the bill.
"Can you imagine what's going to happen to these students, young people, when they leave at the age of 16? there's no hope for them, there is absolutely no hope for them," Harms said.
Some lawmakers say the bill is still incomplete and changes must be made before it advances further.
