Bill Offering Biblical Courses and Scholarship Opportunities to Students Signed into Law

ATLANTA (May 6, 2019) | Senate Bill 83, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga), was signed into law earlier today.

“I want to thank Governor Kemp for signing this very important piece of legislation,” said Sen. Mullis. “Our students have the right to expand their knowledge through various opportunities and SB 83 will do that. This legislation allows them to choose to learn about the history of the Bible and gives them the opportunity to continue their academics by utilizing the REACH Scholarship Program. By empowering our students to have choices and access to additional resources, we can guarantee they will achieve success.”

Senate Bill 83 will allow high schools to offer courses on Hebrew Scriptures as well as the Old and New Testaments. Additionally, under SB 83 the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship Program allows students who meet certain requirements, such as qualification for the free or reduced lunch program, a limited number of unexcused absences and a clean criminal and drug-related record, to qualify for the scholarship. The bill lays out standards students and school systems must meet to participate in the scholarship program, as well as outlines the amount of money appropriated for schools based on its county’s population.

For the full text on Senate Bill 83, please follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/83

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For Immediate Release:
May 7, 2019

Ines Owens, Director
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028