Bill > SB124

This bill makes two significant changes to Georgia's education law. First, it requires the State School Superintendent and Department of Education to actively implement guidance documents from federal agencies, including those related to expanding educational opportunities. The bill defines "guidance documents" broadly as statements from federal agencies that provide policy or interpretative guidance, and mandates that the Department of Education publish these documents on a dedicated, searchable web page within 15 days of receipt. The department must also provide a written response within 45 days explaining how the guidance will be implemented or objected to, and maintain a separate list of rescinded guidance documents. The State School Superintendent is required to report these activities to the General Assembly annually, and the State Board of Education is authorized to adopt rules to implement these requirements. Second, the bill expands promise scholarship accounts to include students whose parents are active-duty military members stationed in Georgia, regardless of their school attendance zone. However, this expansion is subject to funding availability and prioritization, with these military-connected students being considered after students meeting specific income requirements, but before students from higher-income families. Students qualifying under this provision can continue to receive scholarship funds until they return to public school, graduate high school, or reach a specified age limit.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70078