A bill that would allow high school athletes to transfer during the school year without having to sit out games is now before Gov. Rick Scott.

Senators, in a narrow 21-18 vote, advanced the bill, SB 1403, to the governor’s desk for final approval on Thursday.

Supporters said the intent is to ensure a high school athlete is not punished when a family moves, for divorce or foreclosure, by being forced to wait until the next season to play.

Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, warned that the bill could result in the school sport powerhouses recruiting athletes away from small schools.