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

26 LC 49 2856S Senate Bill 589 By: Senators Brass of the 6th, Hickman of the 4th, Hatchett of the 50th, Anavitarte of the 31st, McNeel of the 18th and others AS PASSED A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-2-150 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 eligibility for enrollment, program assignments for students, a nd student social security2 numbers, so as to provide for parents and guardians to elect fo r their children who have3 attained the age of four or fi ve to be enrolled in a voluntary pre-kindergarten program4 provided and operated as part of Georgia's Pre-K Program; to pr ovide for parents and5 guardians of students who are eligible for initial public schoo l enrollment in first grade to6 elect for their children to be enrolled in kindergarten rather than first grade; to amend Part 37 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to8 student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to enact the "You Are Not Alone9 Awareness Act"; to require public schools that issue student identification badges to include10 certain information about the 9-8-8 crisis response hotline on such badges; to provide for an11 effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and12 for other purposes.13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:14 S. B. 589 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2856S SECTION 1.15 Code Section 20-2-150 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility for16 enrollment, program assignments for students, and student socia l security numbers, is17 amended by adding new subsections to read as follows:18 "(b.1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, each child who attains19 the age of either four or five by September 1 shall be eligible for enrollment in a voluntary20 pre-kindergarten program provided and operated as part of Georgia's Pre-K Program, and21 each such child shall be enrolled in such program at the reques t of his or her parent or22 guardian; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not be c onstrued or applied to23 require or permit a child to be enrolled in such a program for more than one year; and,24 provided, further that children ages four and five shall be treated on the same basis relative25 to selection for available seats in such programs.26 (b.2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, each child enrolling in27 a state supported education program for the first time who, by virtue of his or her age and28 date of birth, is eligible for enrollment in the first grade of a state supported primary grades29 program pursuant to this Code section or Code Section 20-2-150 shall be enrolled in a state30 supported kindergarten program at the request of his or her parent or guardian."31 SECTION 2.32 Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official C ode of Georgia Annotated,33 relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by enacting a34 new Code section to read as follows:35 "20-2-779.5.36 (a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the ' You Are Not Alone37 Awareness Act.'38 (b) Each local school system or public school that issues student identification badges to39 students in any of grades six through 12 shall cause to be printed on any such badges that40 S. B. 589 - 2 - 26 LC 49 2856S are issued on or after July 1, 2026, ' 9-8-8 - You are not alone. Right now, anyone41 experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or challenges with substance abuse should42 call or text 9-8-8. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a43 year.'"44 SECTION 3.45 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply to all school years beginning46 with the 2026-2027 school year.47 SECTION 4.48 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.49 S. B. 589 - 3 -