All Roll Calls
Yes: 257 • No: 3
GeorgiaSB 1932025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish the adult workforce high school diploma program; authorize
Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Ed Harbison (Democrat), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican)
Became Law
Higher EducationGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Free diploma path for Georgia adults
Georgia creates an Adult Workforce High School Diploma Program. You can enroll if you live in Georgia, are 21–40 at enrollment, lack a high school diploma, previously attended a Georgia public school or adult education program, and do not meet the ineligibility rules in Code 20-3-519.1(b). Approved providers must give free intake tests, transcript checks, and a written plan. They must offer free remedial reading and math, job skills certificates, workforce credentials, and every course needed to earn your diploma.
Milestone payments for approved providers
The State Board pays providers for student milestones, if funds are appropriated. Payments are $275 per half credit, $275 per employability certificate, $275 for credentials up to 50 hours, $550 for 51–100 hours, $825 for over 100 hours, and $1,100 per diploma. Providers must file monthly milestone reports by the 10th. Money is paid in the order reports arrive. Funds can pay for instruction, materials, and student supports, not for building or expanding facilities.
Board can waive rules for program
The State Board can waive state rules and seek federal waivers when needed to meet the program’s goals. This flexibility helps the Board adjust requirements to run the program effectively.
Program ends July 1, 2031
The article that creates this program is repealed on July 1, 2031. After that date, the program has no legal authority unless lawmakers renew it.
Provider approval deadlines and accreditation
Each year, the Board posts the provider application by August 15 and decides by September 15. Approved providers may enroll eligible students right away, and the Board posts the approved list online. To qualify, a provider must hold accreditation from SACSCOC, the Georgia Accrediting Commission, Cognia, or a successor group.
Provider performance and annual reporting rules
Providers must keep at least a 50% graduation rate and an average cost per graduate of $7,500 or less. Graduation rate equals graduates divided by cohort size. Average cost equals total funding for the cohort divided by graduates. Failing these standards puts a provider on probation for the rest of the program year; failing again by the end of the next year ends approved status. Starting in 2027, providers must file an annual report by August 15 with counts of students, credits, certificates, credentials, and diplomas. The State Board must send a yearly report by December 1 to the Governor and legislative leaders with provider results and funding details.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
John Albers
Republican • Senate
Jason T. Dickerson
Republican • Senate
Matt Brass
Republican • Senate
Ed Harbison
Democrat • Senate
Bo Hatchett
Republican • Senate
Randy Robertson
Republican • Senate
Brian Strickland
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Houston Gaines
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 50 • No: 1
House vote • 3/25/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 159 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2025Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/28/2025SenateAct 20
4/28/2025Senate Sent to Governor
4/10/2025SenateSenate Agreed House Amend or Sub
4/4/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/25/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/25/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/18/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/10/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/6/2025HouseSenate Third Read
3/4/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/4/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
2/27/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/26/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
2/19/2025SenateSenate Hopper
2/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB 193/AP* (v9)
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