Georgia HB1284: Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide

What the bill says

To amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "20-2-70.1. Each local board of education shall issue a high school diploma to a student enrolled in a high school program who has a medical diagnosis of a terminal condition and is receiving end-of-life care. The parent or guardian of any such student shall submit to the appropriate local school superintendent a written request for a high school diploma to be awarded to the student prior to the end of his or her life. Such written request shall include H. B. 1284 LC 49 2612 documentation from the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Billy Hickman (R, 4) · primary sponsor
• Deborah Silcox (R, 53) · primary sponsor
• Jon Burns (R, HD-159)
• Butch Parrish (R, 158)
• Chris Erwin (R, 32)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, 105)
• Scott Hilton (R, 48)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Effective Date
2. May 5, 2026: Act 397
3. May 5, 2026: House Date Signed by Governor
4. April 6, 2026: House Sent to Governor
5. March 27, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted
6. March 27, 2026: Senate Third Read
7. March 27, 2026: Senate Taken from Table
8. March 27, 2026: Senate Tabled
9. March 18, 2026: Senate Read Second Time
10. March 16, 2026: Senate Committee Favorably Reported

Votes

• Senate Vote #854 (March 27, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote #606 (March 4, 2026): 172 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1284?

HB1284 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide.

What does HB1284 do?

In its own words: To amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local boards of education, so as to provide for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of HB1284?

Signed into law as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1284?

Billy Hickman (R, 4), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1284?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73133