HB245: HB245 Georgia Educational Opportunity Act; enact

25 LC 49 2157 House Bill 245 By: Representatives Olaleye of the 59th, Smith of the 18th, Glaize of the 67th, Howard of the 129th, Greene of the 154th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to add a program for students living in2 poverty to the table of quality basic education instructional p rograms with weights and3 student-teacher ratios; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Educational Opportunity Act."8 SECTION 2.9 Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the10 "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-130, relating to11 short title, as follows:12 "20-2-130.13 (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Quality Basic Education Act.'14 (b) As used in this article:15 H. B. 245 - 1 - 25 LC 49 2157 (1) 'Student in foster care' means a student enrolled in a public school who is placed in16 a foster family home, child care institution, or another substi tute care setting approved17 by the Department of Human Services or Division of Family and Children Services.18 (2) 'Student living in poverty' means a student enrolled in a public school who meets one19 or more of the following criteria:20 (A) Lives in a family unit directly certified to be receiving Supplemental Nutrition21 Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;22 (B) Lives in a family unit directly certified to be receiving Temporary Assistance for23 Needy Families (TANF) benefits;24 (C) Is a student in foster care; or25 (D) Is a student without stable housing.26 (3) 'Student without stable housing' means a student enrolled in a public school who27 meets the definition of the term 'homeless children and youths' under the federal28 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. Section 11301, et seq.,29 in force and effect on January 1, 2025."30 SECTION 3.31 Said article is further amended by adding a new paragraph to subsection (b) of Code Section32 20-2-161, relating to quality basic education formula, to read as follows:33 "(19) Students living in poverty program ..........................34 35 36 37 1.7500 weight and 1 to 15 ratio" SECTION 4.38 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.39 H. B. 245 - 2 -