HR 1579: House Study Committee on Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services and Medically Fragile Student Attendance; create

Students who are medically fragile or facing serious health challenges can qualify for hospital/homebound (HHB) services, which let them keep receiving instruction while unable to attend school in person. This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services and Medically Fragile Student Attendance to look at how these services are delivered across Georgia's local school systems. The five-member committee, appointed by the Speaker of the House, would study staffing, funding, and instructional approaches used for HHB services, along with how students transition back to regular classrooms. It can hold meetings, hear from educators, families, medical providers, and the Department of Education, and recommend legislation. Legislative members get standard travel and expense allowances, funded through the House's budget. The committee must file any approved report before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates a five-member House study committee on hospital/homebound services and medically fragile student attendance, appointed by the Speaker.
• Directs the committee to study staffing, funding, and instructional models local school systems use for HHB services.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings, gather input from stakeholders, and recommend legislation or other action.
• Sets legislative member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 and non-legislator per diem under O.C.G.A. § 45-7-21, capped at five days unless extended.
• Requires any approved findings or report to be filed with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished.
• Abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

The resolution directly affects members of the House of Representatives appointed to the committee, plus the students, families, educators, medical providers, and Department of Education staff who may be asked to give input on hospital/homebound services for medically fragile students.

If created, the committee could shape future legislation on how Georgia schools deliver instruction to medically fragile or hospitalized students, potentially affecting attendance policies, funding for HHB programs, and how students reintegrate into classrooms after medical absences.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services and Medically Fragile Student Attendance.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, with one designated chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying HHB-related issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets allowance and funding rules, capping paid days at five unless additional days are authorized, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved report or findings to be filed with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-06House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-03House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)

• hospital/homebound instruction
• medically fragile students
• chronic absenteeism
• education policy study
• Georgia House committees