Committee advances narrow changes to SSO rules to ease access for students with disabilities

House Bill 1220 (LC492693S), presented by Representative (Speaker 12), would adjust Georgia Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) rules to remove administrative barriers for students with documented disabilities and better align the SSO statute with other scholarship programs.

Presenter said the bill broadens existing exceptions and would allow waivers for students with an IEP, Section 504 plans, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, speech/language delays, hearing loss and other developmental disabilities. The bill would exclude designated disabilities from the SSO scholarship cap so that eligible students are not counted against program caps, and require participating schools to publish what medical and behavioral conditions they can accommodate to help families make informed choices.

Committee members from multiple districts praised the bill for easing red tape and supporting military families and children with special needs. A motion to 'do pass' was made and seconded; the committee approved the bill by voice vote and the chairman read LC492693S before signing the committee action.