(AP) — Children’s advocates are supporting a proposal moving through the Nebraska Legislature that would change how schools handle students with excessive absences.

Current law says when a child misses 20 or more days of school and any of the absences are unexcused, the school must report that to the county attorney.

On March 18, lawmakers advanced an amendment that would require schools to have at least one meeting with a parent or guardian of the child to develop a collaborative plan to reduce barriers to regular attendance. The amendment also would eliminate mandatory referrals to the county attorney at 20 days of absences.

The measure faces one more vote in front of the Legislature.