ATLANTA— State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) today announced the introduction of House Bill 54, legislation that would expand college tuition grants for children of fallen public safety workers.
“The families of our dedicated public safety workers bear a daily burden when their loved ones put on a uniform to protect our safety and freedom,” said Rep. Waites. “If these families lose a father or mother, I firmly believe that it is our responsibility as Georgians to take care of their children.”
Rep. Waites’ legislation 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.
The Georgia Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant currently provides a $2,000 annual college tuition grant for children of fallen public safety workers. The grant limits each student to receiving a total of $8,000 over four years. To qualify for the Georgia Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant, recipients must have been dependent of a fallen member of police, fire, or hero worker who died while on duty, and be registered as a full-time student in a program of study. The grant also requires that recipients maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and may not receive the scholarship after the age of 22.
“All members of the Georgia General Assembly, regardless of party affiliation, represent Georgia public safety workers,” said Rep. Waites. “In my opinion, this is something that is a very small part of what we can do to honor the families and officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. This bill would provide certainty for the children of these heroes by removing the financial burden for higher education.”
Several public safety personnel have been killed in the line of duty in recent years. In 2012, Metro Atlanta area Officer Sean Callahan, 24, was shot and killed in the line of duty after serving four months with the Clayton County Police Department. Also in 2012, Atlanta Police Department Officers Shawn Smiley and Richard Halford died in a helicopter crash. Smiley’s mother, Terra Jones-Smiley, worked closely with Rep. Waites in drafting the legislation.
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.
###