ATLANTA –State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) announced today that House Bill 54, the Fallen Hero Bill, was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal during a bill signing ceremony at the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Sponsored by Rep. Waites, the Fallen Hero Bill will provide additional college tuition assistance for the children of fallen public service officials.
“I am honored to see this legislation signed into law, and thank Gov. Deal for his commitment to Georgia’s public service officials and their families,” said Rep. Waites. “Our public service officials put their lives in harm’s way to provide a safer and more secure state for our citizens. This in no way makes-up for their sacrifice, but if we can provide even the smallest bit of financial relief to the children of these brave heroes, our hope is to ease the burden.”
The Fallen Hero Bill will supplement the existing Georgia Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission by providing additional funding to cover any tuition expenses not provided by the grant. Under this legislation, the increased cost will be funded by adding a voluntary donation option to the filing forms for Georgia Income Tax forms and Georgia Motor Vehicle Driver’s License forms.
Rep. Waites was joined at the bill signing ceremony by Lisa Barney, wife of fallen Riverdale Police Department officer Major Greg Barney, Terra Smiley, wife of fallen Atlanta Police Department helicopter Officer Shawn Smiley, Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, Chairman of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), and Reps. Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta) and Sandra Scott (D-Rex).
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 & Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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