FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- The Kentucky House of Representatives has approved legislation that would raise the school dropout age to 18.
Unlike a bill that passed the Senate Feb. 8, which would let school boards decide the issue, the House bill is not a local option proposal.
The bill passed 87-10.
Democratic Rep. Jeff Greer of Brandenburg, the sponsor, said allowing children to drop out of school when they're 16 or 17 is costly to them and the state. They earn less and are more likely to be on public assistance or be incarcerated for crimes.
He asked his fellow legislators to pass the bill because "it's the right thing to do."
The bill would raise the dropout age to 17 in 2016 and to 18 in 2017.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
