PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A bill that says South Dakota public schools can charge for childcare or driver's education has passed the full Senate.
Last year, Attorney General Marty Jackley's office specified schools districts can't legally charge for these programs without the Legislature's approval.
Sen. Corey Brown, 1 of the bill's sponsors, says the fees help offset costs for services that don't include extracurricular activities like band or football practice.
Sen. Tim Begalka says without the money, schools will drop childcare and driver's education altogether, hurting small communities.
But opponent Sen. Jeffrey Haverly says he fears schools will compete unfairly by charging less than the private sector does.
The full Senate floor passed the measure 25-6. It next goes to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for his approval.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
