Ga. Lawmakers Introduce Bills That Would Expand School Voucher Programs

School vouchers have plenty of supporters and opponents. Georgia lawmakers have introduced two new bills that would expand the state’s existing voucher programs.

Ian Palmer / for WABE

State legislators have drafted two new school voucher bills that would extend Georgia’s existing programs.

Senate Bill 386 would increase the number of students who qualify for the Special Needs Scholarship program. House Bill 939 would keep the cap on Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship program at $100 million. Lawmakers could still consider a third type of voucher plan called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) if they reconsider Senate Bill 173, introduced last session.

The Special Needs Scholarship provides vouchers to students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and attend a Georgia public school for one year. SB 386 would extend eligibility to students with a 504 Plan as well as children who have been adopted and some who have been placed in foster care.