A bill that would amend the state’s education laws to allow houses of worship to use public school space for services during non-school hours was passed by the Senate’s Education Committee yesterday, bringing it one step closer to passage.

Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera and a number of other local and religious leaders have been pushing for the bill, which was introduced as a response to the city’s decision to ban churches and other house of worship from operating in public school buildings.

“I salute the New York State Senate Education Committee on taking bold and decisive action on this important issue,” Cabrera said in a statement. “I am confident the Assembly will follow suit, and urge Governor Cuomo to sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.”

Bronx Household of Faith, a small congregation based in University Heights that has been worshiping in the auditorium at PS/MS 15 for years, had challenged the DOE’s ban in court, a legal battle that went on for 17 years. But the group lost their appeal this December after the Supreme Court declined to review their case, and the city announced that faith-based organizations which currently rent school spaces have until Feb. 12 to find new homes. About 60 or so organizations that had been renting space from the DOE are estimated to be affected by the change.

This Sunday, Cabrera and others fighting the DOE policy are planning to march across the Brooklyn Bridge, ending their walk at City Hall for a prayer vigil.