SB193: SB193 State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish the adult workforce high school diploma program; authorize

Georgia currently has no dedicated state program that pays third-party providers to help adults without a high school diploma earn one while also gaining workforce credentials. This bill authorizes the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to create such a program for eligible adults between 21 and 40 who previously attended a Georgia public school or adult education program but never got a diploma. The board would approve outside 'program providers' each year through an application process, and those providers must be accredited, offer free assessments, remedial education, and credential courses, and meet minimum graduation rate and cost standards. The state would pay providers set dollar amounts as students hit milestones like earning course credit, certifications, or a diploma. Providers must report progress monthly, and the board must report annually to state leaders starting in 2027. The whole program is set to automatically expire on July 1, 2031.

• Authorizes the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to create an adult workforce high school diploma program for adults ages 21 to 40 without a diploma.
• Sets up a yearly application and approval process for third-party 'program providers' who will run the courses and services.
• Requires approved providers to offer free skill assessments, remedial classes, credential programs, and all courses needed for a diploma, and to maintain at least a 50 percent graduation rate and no more than $7,500 average cost per graduate.
• Creates a milestone-based payment system, disbursing state funds to providers for things like course credits, certifications, workforce credentials, and diplomas earned by students.
• Requires monthly reporting by providers and annual reporting by the state board to the Governor and legislative leaders starting in 2027.
• Automatically repeals the entire program on July 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

The bill affects adults aged 21 to 40 in Georgia who never earned a high school diploma, third-party education and training organizations that could become approved providers, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, and state lawmakers who receive annual program reports.

Adults who left school without a diploma would gain a state-backed path to earn one along with job-related certifications, funded through a pay-for-results system rather than flat grants. Providers face financial accountability tied to graduation rates and cost limits, and the program's funding depends on future legislative appropriations.

• Code Section 20-4-170 defines key terms, including 'eligible student' as a Georgia resident aged 21 to 40 without a diploma who previously attended a public school or adult education program.
• Code Section 20-4-171 lets the state board approve program providers annually, with applications due by August 15 and approvals finalized by September 15 each year.
• Code Section 20-4-172 requires providers to be accredited by specific bodies, offer free assessments and courses, and maintain a graduation rate of at least 50 percent and an average cost per graduate of no more than $7,500.
• Code Section 20-4-173 sets specific per-milestone payment amounts, ranging from $275 for a half unit of credit or certification to $1,100 for a completed high school diploma.
• Code Section 20-4-173 restricts use of program funds to instruction and student support services, barring use for building or expanding physical facilities.
• Code Section 20-4-174 requires providers to report yearly starting in 2027, and requires the state board to report to the Governor and legislative committee chairs by December 1 each year.
• Code Section 20-4-175 automatically repeals the entire new article on July 1, 2031.

1. 2025-04-28Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-04-28Act 20
3. 2025-04-28Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-25House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-25House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2025

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #139

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 25, 2025

   159 yea, 2 nay (12 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #303

3. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   50 yea, 1 nay (4 not voting, 1 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #474

• adult education
• high school diploma programs
• workforce training
• technical college system
• education funding