The New Mexico House has approved a bill that would take away the driver's licenses of habitually truant eighth through 12th graders.
The House voted 36-32 Wednesday to send Albuquerque Republican Rep. Jimmie Hall's bill to the Senate.
The proposal calls for suspending or denying driving privileges of any public school student who racks up 10 or more unexcused absences in a year until the student turns 18.
Lawmakers opposed say the bill will push students into driving without a license. Supporters say it helps keep students in school.
The Public Education Department reports 21.5 percent of high school students were habitually truant in fiscal year 2014.
The Southern Regional Education Board notes that a majority of states link license eligibility to school attendance, according to a fiscal impact report.
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