Committee approves bill allowing high school diplomas for students with terminal illness at parental request

Representative Silcox (Speaker 16) carried HB1284 for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and described powerful testimony from a family in subcommittee. "This bill would provide that if there was a request from a parent, that had, you know, end of life circumstances with cancer, that the high school in that district, school district, would grant that diploma, to the parents either while they were still in life or posthumously," Silcox said.

Members described the subcommittee testimony as emotional and supportive, noting the symbolic importance of granting a diploma to a student facing terminal illness. The committee considered a friendly amendment to correct a name in the bill text (changing the spelling and replacing 'Martin' with 'Milton'); members moved and approved that amendment.

After the amendment, the committee voted to pass HB1284. Chair Erwin asked members to verify spellings with Legislative Council and thanked sponsor Silcox for carrying the measure. The bill now proceeds from committee.