DENVER (AP) – Colorado lawmakers are closer to erasing strict zero-tolerance policies for school discipline adopted after the Columbine High School shootings.

A House committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday making several changes to how schools punish students. The bill has already cleared the Senate, and Republican bill sponsor Rep. B.J. Nikkel says there are enough votes for the measure to clear the full House and go to the governor’s desk.

Under the measure, the only cause for mandatory expulsion would be for bringing a real firearm to school. Lawmakers say administrators would also have more discretion over how to handle discipline, instead of sending students to police for minor infractions.

LINK: Senate Bill 46

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