HB1284: HB1284 Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide

26 LC 49 2781S/AP House Bill 1284 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Erwin of the 32nd, Donatucci of the 105th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for the awarding of high school2 diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide3 for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations;4 to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to5 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Gakobe Milton Act."9 SECTION 2.10 Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local11 boards of education, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:12 "20-2-70.1.13 Each local board of education shall issue a high school diploma to a student enrolled in a14 high school program who has a medical diagnosis of a terminal condition and is receiving15 H. B. 1284 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2781S/AP end-of-life care. The parent or guardian of any such student shall submit to the appropriate16 local school superintendent a written request for a high school diploma to be awarded to17 the student prior to the end of his or her life. Such written request shall include18 documentation from the student's medical provider stating the student's end-of-life health19 status. Within 14 calendar days of receiving such written requ est, the local board of20 education shall petition the State Board of Education to waive the requirements of high21 school graduation credits for the student. Upon approval of such waiver by the State Board22 of Education, the local board of education shall award a high school diploma to the student.23 Although every effort should be made for the high school diplom a to be awarded to the24 student before the end of his or her life, high school diplomas may be posthumously25 awarded pursuant to this Code section. The State Board of Educ ation shall adopt any26 policies, rules, or regulations necessary to ensure prompt comp liance with this Code27 section."28 SECTION 3.29 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.30 H. B. 1284 - 2 -