ATLANTA — The Georgia House of Representatives Higher Education Committee unanimously passed House Bill 54, legislation to provide cost free college tuition to children of fallen public safety officials, out of the committee at a hearing on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. The bill will now go to the Rules Committee for consideration before it can be eligible for a vote on the House floor.
“All members of the Georgia General Assembly, regardless of party affiliation, represent members of Georgia’s public safety and communities served by them,” said Rep. Waites. “In my opinion, this is something that is a very small way we can honor the families and officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. I am confident that the Rules Committee will do the right thing and send a powerful message to the public safety community. Approval of this bi-partisan legislation would show that the Georgia House of Representatives stands unified in support of the law enforcement and public safety community.”
House Bill 54 would supplement the existing Georgia Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant by providing additional funding to cover any tuition expenses not provided by the grant. Under this legislation, the increased cost would be funded by adding a voluntary $1.00 donation option to the filing forms for Georgia Income Tax forms and Georgia Motor Vehicle Driver’s License forms.
Several public safety personnel have been killed in the line of duty in recent years. Among these tragic losses are two Atlanta Police Department officers, Officer Shawn Smiley and Officer Richard Halford, who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash. The metro Atlanta area also lost Officer Sean Callahan, 24, who was shot in the line of duty after serving four months with the Clayton County Police Department. Rep. Waites actually consulted and worked closely with Terra Jones-Smiley, the wife of fallen Officer Shawn Smiley, on the legislation to ensure that the family of a fallen officer had an opportunity to provide input and be heard.
For more information on HB 54, please click here.
Representative Keisha Waites represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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