Georgia House bill by author Rep. Silcox passes House and Senate, requires diplomas for terminally ill high school students

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Deborah Silcox aims to require local school boards to issue high school diplomas to students with terminal conditions, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Friday, March 27, clearing the House by a vote of 172-0 and the Senate by a vote of 48-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1284 on Wednesday, Feb. 11 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill requires each local school board to 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. It directs a parent or guardian to submit a written request with medical documentation to the local superintendent, after which the local board must, within 14 calendar days, petition the State Board of Education for a waiver of graduation credit requirements. Upon approval, the local board must award the diploma, which may be granted posthumously if necessary. The State Board must adopt policies and rules to ensure prompt compliance.

In the House, 75 Democrats and 97 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 16 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Jon Burns (Republican-159th), Rep. Sandy Donatucci (Republican-105th), and Rep. Chris Erwin (Republican-32nd), along with three other co-sponsors.

Silcox graduated from the University of Georgia- Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in 1985 with a BA and again in 1988 from Emory University School of Law with a JD.

Silcox, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 53rd House District, replacing previous state representative Sheila Jones.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 5.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.