HB 1284: Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide

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Discussed in meetings (16)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Education Committee, February 26, 2026

   From 1:02:56 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill, brought forward by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, would allow parents to request a high school diploma for a student facing end-of-life circumstances, either before death or posthumously. The sponsor described earlier family testimony that a diploma would carry more meaning than an attendance certificate. The sponsor also described surviving childhood cancer and receiving support from educators during the final year of high school. A committee member said the bill would recognize a terminally ill student’s desire for accomplishment even without future work opportunities. The substitute added an honorary name requested by a family. Members paused to verify its spelling and adopted corrections to both the first and last names. The committee approved the substitute as amended by voice vote.

2. House Rules Committee, March 2, 2026

   From 1:23:40 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said Children's Healthcare of Atlanta brought forward HB 1284, which would allow a student with terminal cancer to receive a high school diploma at the parents' request. No substantive questions or decision followed.

3. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 1:55:15 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1284 on the day's floor calendar under modified rules without opposition. Its provisions were not discussed.

4. House floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27, AM)

   From 1:48:34 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1803

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1284, brought forward by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, would require a high school to award a diploma to a student at the end of life upon a parent's written request with proper medical documentation. The sponsor recounted committee testimony from a family whose child died of cancer without receiving a diploma, explaining that the family viewed a diploma as recognition of achievement rather than attendance. The sponsor said the committee added a name honoring that student. Asked whether eligibility was limited to seniors, the sponsor said any high school grade would qualify. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill, 172 to 0.

5. Senate Education and Youth Committee, March 12, 2026

   From 0:44:40 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would allow a parent to request a high school diploma, during a student’s life or after death, with medical documentation of a terminal illness. A hospital teacher and educational advocate for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta said there was no clear, consistent process. The witness said the organization had advocated for 11 students over three years, but only four received a Georgia diploma before death. A parent described a child’s continued schoolwork during cancer treatment and said a diploma would recognize that effort and provide a lasting keepsake. One member suggested future legislation covering students who die from causes other than illness; no amendment was offered. In response to another member, the sponsor confirmed eligibility would cover grades nine through twelve, not just seniors. A third member questioned the lack of a terminal-condition definition, credit or grade requirements, and what would happen if a student recovered after receiving a diploma. The sponsor said students would likely want to remain with classmates and described such cases as rare. The committee approved a do-pass motion by standing vote, without a tally. The chair agreed to carry the bill in the Senate.

6. Senate Rules Committee, March 18, 2026

   From 0:22:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair described HB 1284 as addressing high school diplomas for students nearing the end of life. No further discussion or calendar action followed.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

   From 0:21:33 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said Children's Healthcare of Atlanta brought the proposal, which would allow parents to request a high school diploma for a student diagnosed with a terminal illness. No questions or scheduling decision followed.

8. Senate Rules Committee, March 20, 2026

   From 0:32:49 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A committee member presenting on behalf of House members said the bill would award a high school diploma to a student nearing the end of life. No questions or calendar decision followed.

9. Senate Rules Committee, March 23, 2026

   From 0:34:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair described HB 1284 as allowing high school diplomas for students with end-of-life diagnoses and noted an earlier presentation. No further discussion or vote was shown.

10. Senate Rules Committee, March 25, 2026

    From 0:41:13 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: A committee member selected HB 1284, describing it as helping children nearing the end of life. The chair expressed support, but no specific provisions were explained. The committee unanimously approved the calendar package containing the bill.

11. Senate floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38)

    From 7:46:57 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Tabled)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1284 would establish a consistent, expedited process for awarding diplomas to high school students with terminal illnesses. The sponsor said Children's Healthcare of Atlanta teachers had advocated for 11 students over three years, but only four received diplomas because districts responded differently. The sponsor said the State Department of Education would make the final decision on awarding diplomas. The clerk also described waiver and posthumous diploma provisions. No opposition or substantive questions followed. The Senate passed the bill 48-0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18), 0:49:06
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 17, 2026 (legislative day 19), 0:58:41
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 1), 0:40:23
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 16, 2026 (legislative day 32), 0:27:49
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33), 0:35:10

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