Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1193: Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026; enact
Status: Signed into law, May 5, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, so as to promote and advance state-wide literacy and reading education efforts; to substantially revise the "Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act"; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to promote and advance state-wide literacy and reading education efforts; to include Quality Basic Education funding for school based literacy coaches in each public school in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three; to require all children to attend kindergarten prior to enrolling in first grade, subject to exception; to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to promote and advance state-wide literacy and reading education efforts; to include Quality Basic Education funding for school based literacy coaches in each public school in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three; to require all children to attend kindergarten prior to enrolling in first grade, subject to exception; to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five; to provide for first grade readiness assessments; to require annual reports regarding first grade readiness; to revise provisions relative to grade placement, promotion, and retention; to provide for literacy coaching endorsements for certificated professional personnel; to substantially revise the "Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act"; to include legislative intent; to provide for a definition; to revise provisions of said act relative to the selection of and requirements for universal reading screeners; to revise provisions for professional learning; to require local school systems and other public schools to have unified literacy plans; to revise provisions for educator preparation programs and the evaluation of such programs by the Professional Standards Commission; to provide for regional literacy coaches employed by regional educational service agencies; to provide for certification of and funding …
Sponsors
- Blake Tillery (R, 19) · primary sponsor
- Chris Erwin (R, 32) · primary sponsor
- Jon Burns (R, HD-159)
- Hatchett, Matt (R, 155)
- Matt Dubnik (R, 29)
- Jan Jones (R, 47)
- Gerald Greene (R, 154)
Latest actions
- : Act 391
- : Effective Date
- : House Date Signed by Governor
- : House Sent to Governor
- : House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted
Votes
- Senate Vote #879 (March 31, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #818 (March 31, 2026): 168 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #542 (February 24, 2026): 170 yea, 2 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1193?
- HB1193 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026; enact.
- What does HB1193 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to promote and advance state-wide literacy and reading education efforts; to include Quality Basic Education funding for school based literacy coaches in each public school in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three; to require all children to attend kindergarten prior to enrolling in first grade, subject to exception; to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five…
- What is the status of HB1193?
- Signed into law as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Act 391 (May 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1193?
- Blake Tillery (R, 19), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1193?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72842
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.