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GeorgiaHB 1752025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

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)

Became Law

EducationChildren and FamiliesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tough penalties for ignoring background checks

The department can refuse or revoke a license or commission if required checks are missing. It can stop funding to people or programs that willfully and continually ignore the rules. After licensing, it may order extra checks if it believes a person has a disqualifying record or during a child abuse investigation. It is a misdemeanor to knowingly allow an ineligible person to be present or live at the facility while children are present. These enforcement rules take effect July 1, 2025.

Clear checks needed before child care work

Programs must have a satisfactory records check before hiring or allowing someone on site. An applicant can use a clearance dated within 12 months, or within 24 months for students in an accredited early education program. Anyone with an unsatisfactory check cannot be present when children are there or live at the facility, and must be removed right away. Programs must keep employment history and proof of a satisfactory or reversed check on file. Employees and directors also need a new comprehensive check at least every five years. These hiring, presence, and recordkeeping rules start July 1, 2025. The five-year recheck rule has applied since January 1, 2019.

Stronger checks for child care and Head Start

The law strengthens background checks for child care and Head Start staff. A comprehensive check now includes FBI fingerprints, the national sex offender search, and state and multi-state abuse and crime registries for the past five years. Applicants must send fingerprints, the application, and fees to GCIC; GCIC must notify the department within 10 days, and the department makes the national determination. The department accepts applications for programs that get federal funds and follows GCIC and FBI rules. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Katie Dempsey

    Republican • House

  • Matt Dubnik

    Republican • House

  • Chris Erwin

    Republican • House

  • Todd Jones

    Republican • House

  • David Wilkerson

    Democrat • House

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

House vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 170 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Act 175

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read Second Time

    3/18/2025Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/13/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read and Referred

    3/6/2025Senate

  10. House Third Readers

    3/4/2025House

  11. House Passed/Adopted

    3/4/2025House

  12. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/28/2025House

  13. House Second Readers

    2/3/2025House

  14. House First Readers

    1/30/2025House

  15. House Hopper

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 175/AP* (v3)

    PDF

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