09 LC 33 2823

Senate Bill 60

By: Senators Jackson of the 2nd, Brown of the 26th, Jones of the 10th, Sims of the 12th, Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 20-2-690.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to relating to mandatory education for children, so as to authorize each local board of education to determine the maximum age of mandatory education from 16 to 18 for its local school system; to provide for alternative tracks; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 20-2-690.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to relating to mandatory education for children, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows:

"(a) Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall be required for children between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays their sixteenth, seventeenth, or eighteenth birthdays, as determined for each local school system by the local board of education; provided, however, that a parent or guardian may sign a waiver for his or her child to opt out of a traditional public school setting between the age of 16 and the maximum age set by the local board of education pursuant to this subsection so long as the child enrolls in and attends a community college or technical school, which for purposes of this subsection shall be considered attendance in a public school until such child reaches such maximum age. Such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements for a high school diploma."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.