Georgia Promise Scholarship Act Among Signed Legislation
ATLANTA – Today, Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) and other legislators joined Governor Brian Kemp at Liberty Plaza in Atlanta, Ga. as he signed several bills into law to bolster Georgia’s education system. Gov. Kemp signed House Bills 318, 409, and 1122, as well as Senate Bills 233, 351, 395, and 464. Several of these legislative initiatives were identified as priorities by the House and Senate during the 2024 legislative session, including Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act.
“Education is not just a policy area; it’s the cornerstone of our state’s future,” said Speaker Burns. “We can’t overlook its impact on job creation, economic development, workforce, public safety or healthcare. This year, the Georgia House made it clear: we’re investing in all aspects of education. We fully funded public education, increased teacher pay by $2,500, allocated over $100 million for school safety, expanded Pre-K and enhanced career training. The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act marks a transformative step forward, ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education. We refuse to accept failing schools as the norm. Together, we will change lives and future outcomes—a promise worth keeping.”
“I commend my legislative colleagues in the House and those across the hall for their unwavering commitment to champion legislation that will fortify Georgia’s education sector,” said Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton), who carried SB 233 in the House. “These initiatives will provide Georgians with ample opportunities to obtain the education they need, enabling them to become active participants in the state’s thriving workforce.”
“The collective dedication of my legislative colleagues in advancing these crucial measures this legislative session reflects our shared vision for a robust and inclusive educational landscape that empowers every student to excel and contribute meaningfully to Georgia’s future,” said State Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), Chairman of the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation. “I am proud to see these legislative advancements be enacted into law, expanding access to top-tier education for more Georgians.”
House Bill 318 amends the Code to re-establish the Office of Charter School Compliance and create the Office of District Flexibility. It requires administrative fees for charter schools to be used exclusively for that purpose and revises project-specific capital outlay grant eligibility for low-wealth school systems. The bill also updates definitions regarding energy cost savings measures and contracts.
House Bill 409, also known as Addy’s Law, requires public school systems to consider safer bus routes for students, avoiding crossings on roads with speed limits of 40 miles per hour or higher. The bill also increases penalties for individuals who illegally pass stopped school buses, making it a high and aggravated misdemeanor with fines of at least $1,000, a minimum confinement of 12 months or both upon conviction. Additionally, the legislation allows state charter schools to use teachers and staff from education service providers under certain conditions.
House Bill 1122 amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-186, specifying funding criteria based on student enrollment for state charter schools to earn a superintendent and for state and local charter schools to earn principals.
Senate Bill 233 establishes the Georgia Education Savings Authority and the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, which offers $6,500 per student for eligible education expenses outside public schools. The bill also alters program weights in the Quality Basic Education formula, permits capital outlay funds for pre-kindergarten programs, sets a tuition cap for out-of-district student transfers, revises grants for low-performing schools and amends the tax credit for qualified education donations.
Senate Bill 351, the Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act of 2024, adds responsible digital citizenship and safe technology use to character education programs, requires model programs for online safety, mandates Internet safety policies and technology measures in schools and enforces social media policies with potential funding repercussions for non-compliance. The bill also requires social media platforms to verify the age of account holders under 16 and obtain parental consent and imposes fines for non-compliance with such requirements.
Senate Bill 395 amends O.C.G.A. 16-13-71 to exempt any opioid antagonist from classification as a dangerous drug when used for overdose prevention. Section 2, known as Wesley’s Law, permits visitors and school employees to possess and administer an opioid antagonist on school property or at school-sponsored activities for suspected drug overdoses. The bill also permits the sale and supply of opioid antagonists via vending machines, granting immunity from liability to individuals and organizations dispensing these antagonists in good faith. Lastly, the bill requires government buildings, courthouses and schools with automated external defibrillators to provide opioid-antagonists for opioid overdose emergencies.
Senate Bill 464 amends the Georgia Early Literacy Act by establishing an executive committee within the Council on Literacy and requiring the identification of universal reading screeners by the Department of Education and Georgia Council on Literacy. Additionally, it introduces the School Supplies for Educators Act to assist educators in purchasing school supplies online, contingent on appropriations.
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