SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon House has voted 31-28 to place a two-year moratorium on new online charter schools and limit enrollment at existing ones.

Virtual charter schools are public schools that operate through a charter or contract with a local district or the Oregon Board of Education. Oregon has about 4,000 students in nine such schools.

Supporters say the legislation is needed to ensure such schools are financially accountable and provide equal access to all students.

Opponents say the bill is designed to kill the state's largest online charter school, Oregon Connections Academy, which has 2,700 students. Only a few students live within the Scio School District, which sponsors the charter.