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GeorgiaSB 4312025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Education; enrollment of foster care students within two school days of a request for enrollment by such student's parent or legal custodian; require

Sponsored By: Steve Gooch (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Chuck Payne (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationChildren and FamiliesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More college help for students with disabilities

Georgia expands grants for eligible students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in approved Inclusive Postsecondary Education programs, including eligible private colleges. The law removes the former July 1, 2028 enrollment cutoff. Grants at University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia schools equal current-year standard undergraduate tuition. Private-college grants equal the current-year HOPE award amount. Extra grants may cover current-year program fees, but cannot exceed those fees; all awards depend on available funding.

Foster students get faster school enrollment

Georgia schools must enroll foster students immediately, no later than two school days after receiving a completed enrollment form. Schools cannot use registration rules to cause unreasonable delays; enrollment may be permanent or temporary, and other enrollment requirements remain. If missing critical records cause a missed deadline, the principal must immediately give parents or legal custodians oversight contacts. These are the regional education agency's student affairs officer and the Georgia Department of Education's chief privacy officer. The department may require a corrective action plan when either officer recommends one.

Students get temporary enrollment with safeguards

Schools can temporarily enroll students who cannot complete permanent enrollment for up to 10 school days. Enrollment starts no earlier than the school day after parents or legal custodians complete the required disclosure and authorize immediate release of critical records. They must also provide names and addresses of every school attended during the past 24 months. Missing critical records can lead to temporary remote learning until records arrive or a case management consultation occurs. Students later found ineligible must leave school until eligibility is established.

Parents get broader school record access

The law removes exclusions for operator data used internally and data local boards considered not reasonably available. Local boards cannot block parents' or legal custodians' lawful inspection rights; custodians include agencies authorized to act for students. Schools must give written notice of record transfers, including by email, and families can request copies without the former five-school-business-day request deadline. Families have five school business days after receiving copies to request a correction meeting in writing with the principal or designee. Regional student affairs officers report disputes quarterly within 30 days; the state chief privacy officer reports annually to legislative leaders by November 1.

New counting rules for school deadlines

The law changes specified education deadlines to use school business days, rather than school days or business days. School business days exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Generally, an administrator must report in person for part of the day, and the school cannot be designated or legally ordered closed for students and staff. These rules cover listed deadlines for records, enrollment, complaints, attendance, parents' rights, and charter-school petitions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Steve Gooch

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Kay Kirkpatrick

    Republican • Senate

  • Elena Parent

    Democrat • Senate

  • Chuck Payne

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Beth Camp

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 2/6/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  2. Act 494

    5/11/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    3/31/2026House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2026House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/25/2026House

  9. House Second Readers

    2/10/2026House

  10. House First Readers

    2/9/2026House

  11. Senate Third Read

    2/6/2026Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted

    2/6/2026Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/5/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/4/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    1/29/2026Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 431/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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