GeorgiaHB 1752025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Education; employee comprehensive background checks for early care and education programs and Head Start programs; revise provisions

Sponsored By: Katie Dempsey (Republican), Matt Dubnik (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Todd Jones (Republican), David Wilkerson (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

EducationChildren and FamiliesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Child-Care Providers Face Funding And Penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, covered people with unsatisfactory fingerprint results cannot stay where children receive care or live until cleared or reversed. Programs must keep staff work histories and satisfactory check results—or proof of reversal—on file before allowing work or access. Georgia must refuse or revoke licenses or commissions when directors or employees lack required checks and acceptable results. The department must stop direct or indirect funding for willful, continued failure to follow the check requirements. License, commission, or permit holders and directors commit a misdemeanor by allowing disqualified staff around children or to live there when they know or reasonably should know of the disqualifying record.

Child-Care Workers Face Hiring And Rechecks

Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed or commissioned child-care programs must obtain satisfactory checks for potential employees before hiring. Existing clearances can be up to 12 months old, or 24 months for students currently studying early education at accredited colleges. Employees and directors need rechecks at least every five years, except when Georgia retains fingerprints through its designated program. Programs must keep current clearance or reversal records, provide them immediately on request, and face license revocation for noncompliance. After licensing, Georgia can order extra checks for suspected disqualifying criminal records or child abuse investigations involving the worker.

Broader Child-Care Screening Includes Head Start

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia expands screening for covered child-care staff and affiliates, including Head Start personnel. Checks include FBI fingerprint records and criminal, sex offender, and child abuse and neglect records from current and past states. The state lookback covers five years; fingerprints are required for current-state criminal searches but optional for other states. For federally funded programs, applications are required as directed by the department and allowed by federal law. Applicants must provide forms, acceptable fingerprints, and required fees; the law does not set fee amounts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Chuck Payne
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 224 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 54 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 170 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
House Date Signed by Governor
5/13/2025House
Act 175
5/13/2025
House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/27/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/27/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/18/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/13/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/6/2025Senate
House Third Readers
3/4/2025House
House Passed/Adopted
3/4/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported
2/28/2025House
House Second Readers
2/3/2025House
House First Readers
1/30/2025House
House Hopper
1/29/2025House

Bill Text

HB 175/AP* (v3)
PDF

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