SB589: SB589 "Quality Basic Education Act"; the date by which a child must attain a certain age to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; revise

Under current Georgia law, a child's age determines which program, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade, they enter. This bill adds new options for parents. It lets parents or guardians request that a four or five year old child who is otherwise eligible be enrolled in Georgia's Pre-K Program, though a child cannot spend more than one year in the program, and four and five year olds are treated equally when programs have limited seats. It also lets parents of a child who would otherwise start in first grade request kindergarten instead. Separately, the bill creates the 'You Are Not Alone Awareness Act.' Any Georgia public school or school system that issues student ID badges to students in grades six through 12 must print a specific message on badges issued after July 1, 2026, telling students to call or text the 988 crisis hotline for suicidal crises, emotional distress, or substance abuse issues. The whole act takes effect July 1, 2026, starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

• Lets a parent or guardian request that a four or five year old child be enrolled in Georgia's Pre-K Program, capped at one year of participation.
• Requires that four and five year olds be treated the same when Pre-K programs have to choose among applicants for limited seats.
• Lets a parent or guardian request kindergarten instead of first grade for a child who would otherwise be eligible for first grade enrollment.
• Creates a new law, the 'You Are Not Alone Awareness Act,' requiring specific 988 crisis hotline text on student ID badges for grades six through 12.
• Sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, applying starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Parents and guardians of four and five year old children deciding on Pre-K or kindergarten enrollment, Georgia's Pre-K Program providers, local school systems and public schools that issue student ID badges, and middle and high school students in grades six through 12.

Families would gain more say over when a child starts pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade rather than being placed strictly by age. Middle and high school students would see a mental health hotline number printed on their ID badges, potentially making crisis resources more visible day to day.

• Section 1 adds subsection (b.1) to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150, letting parents request Pre-K enrollment for children who turn four or five by September 1, limited to one year of participation.
• Section 1 also adds subsection (b.2), letting parents request kindergarten instead of first grade for an otherwise first-grade-eligible child.
• Section 2 creates new O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779.5, the 'You Are Not Alone Awareness Act,' requiring specific 988 hotline wording on student ID badges issued on or after July 1, 2026 for grades six through 12.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-12Act 633
3. 2026-05-12Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2026-03-27House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-03-27House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   54 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #657

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2026

   156 yea, 3 nay (4 not voting, 13 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #788

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #925

• pre-kindergarten enrollment
• kindergarten enrollment
• school ID badges
• 988 suicide hotline
• student mental health