PORTLAND - State lawmakers in Oregon just passed a bill that could put former prostitutes in the classroom as teachers. 

The "Second Chance Act" sailed through the state Senate by a 20-7 vote and now goes to the Oregon House. 

Portland Democrat Margaret Carter introduced the bill. She wants to allow women convicted of misdemeanor prostitution an opportunity to turn their lives around.  

The bill would allow those convicted of misdemeanor prostitution charges who have been clean for five years to apply for a state teaching license.       

Each case would be reviewed by the Oregon teacher standards and practices commission.  The bill is expected to have a tough time in the house, but Carter stands behind it. 

"I think that they have something to offer," said Sen. Margaret Carter, (D) Portland.  "They can say to a kid, you know kid I've been there, done that." 

SB 724 has already passed the Senate and is now in the House speaker's office.  From there it's expected to head to committee. If it survives, it would then move to the house floor.