Bill > HB56

This bill expands and updates the existing Public Safety Memorial Grant program in Georgia to provide tuition grants to children and spouses of additional public safety and education professionals who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The bill broadens the existing program to now include spouses, emergency medical technicians, highway emergency response operators, and public school employees and teachers who are killed or permanently disabled by an act of violence. Key changes include increasing the maximum annual grant from $2,000 to $18,000 and the lifetime maximum from $8,000 to $72,000. The bill clarifies definitions of terms like "in the line of duty" and "permanent disability" for different types of public servants. To fund these grants, the bill allows voluntary charitable contributions through state income tax returns and driver's license fees, with funds to be collected by the Georgia Student Finance Authority. Eligibility requirements include being a citizen of Georgia for at least 12 months, being the child or spouse of a qualifying public servant who died or was disabled in the line of duty, and meeting other specific criteria. The grants can be used at approved postsecondary institutions and are contingent on annual legislative appropriations.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69354