SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a bill that would provide cash aid to pregnant teens if they lack financial support.

Lawmakers passed AB1640 by Democratic Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles on a 24-12 vote Wednesday. It now moves back to the Assembly for a final vote.

Sen. Carol Liu, a Democrat from Pasadena, says the bill allows pregnant teens with no other dependents to become eligible for CalWORKS, the state's welfare-to-work program. Currently, the state delays aid until the teen's third trimester.

Liu said many of these teens are homeless and without access to adequate nutrition or health care. She says babies born to such mothers tend to be premature and risk developmental problems.

Gov. Jerry Brown's finance officials expressed concern about the additional cost.