Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB65: Education; mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; provide
Status: In committee, January 12, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; to lower the age of compulsory school attendance from six years old to five years old; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, is amended in Code Section 20-2-150, relating to eligibility for enrollment for educational programs, by revising subsection (c) as follows: "(c) All children enrolled for 20 school days or more in the public schools of this state prior to their seventh sixth birthday shall become subject to all of the provisions of this article, the provisions of Code Sections 20-2-690 through 20-2-701, and the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education relating to compulsory school attendance even though they have not attained seven six years of age." LC 49 2324S SECTION 2. Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-151, relating to general and career education programs, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) as follows: "(1)(A) All local school systems may shall offer a full-day kindergarten program. For …
Sponsors
- Derek Mallow (D, 2) · primary sponsor
- Billy Hickman (R, 4)
- Jason Esteves (D, 35)
- Freddie Sims (D, 12)
- Carden Summers (R, 13)
Latest actions
- : Senate Recommitted
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : Senate Hopper
Common questions
- What is SB65?
- SB65 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Education; mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; provide.
- What does SB65 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB65?
- In committee as of January 12, 2026. Latest action: Senate Recommitted (January 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB65?
- Derek Mallow (D, 2), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB65?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69709
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.