HB 209 (Reps. Cantrell-R, Teasley-D, Casas-R, Evans-D, Stovall-D, and Glanton-D)

Amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2112 to reduce the enrollment in public school requirement from one year to the previous semester for eligibility for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship.

The bill amends  O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2113 to require that school district personnel make parents aware of their options regarding the Special Needs Scholarship in writing at the initial IEP meeting upon determining eligibility and that the parents sign a form acknowledging they have been informed and understand the availability of such options.   The district is also required to require a response from each parent of a special needs student notified annually of their options under the act which acknowledges receipt of the annual notice.  The bill also specifies that such annual notifiation is requirement is not met by its inclusion in a student or parent handbook or other general document distributed by the school system.