Seventeenth legislative day - Wednesday, February 11, 2026
House Ed Committee will hear GAE bill to
compensate student teachers tomorrow
HB 310, GAE priority legislation, to establish a pilot program to compensate student teachers with a $2,500 signing bonus and $5,000 in compensation over the period of student teaching for up to 500 student teachers a year, will be taken up by the House Education Committee tomorrow at 8 a.m. State Rep. Phil Olaleye, D-Atlanta, is the sponsor.
Amendment would prohibit State Health Benefit Plan
from covering sex reassignment surgery
and gender-affirming care
HB 54, originally introduced as a bill pertaining to registered nurses and physician assistants, was amended in the Senate to prohibit the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) from covering sex reassignment surgery and gender-affirming care.
The bill was advanced by the full Senate yesterday, 30-18, and moves to the state House. Sen. Jaha Howard, D-Cobb County, voted with Republicans to pass the bill.
The amendment related to the SHBP to the bill can be found here. Another amendment blocks the prescription of puberty blockers to those under the age of 18, here.
Committee passes bill to increase parental leave
for state employees/educator mothers
HB 1118 would increase the amount of paid parental leave for full-time, state-employee "birth mothers" (including educators) from six to nine weeks. The bill passed the House Public and Community Health Committee. If enacted, fathers would have six weeks of paid leave and mothers nine.
Bill would require the display of the Bill of Rights
Democrat Mary Ann Santos, D-McDonough, has filed a bill, HB 1249, to require schools by January 1, 2027 to display the U.S. Bill of Rights in multiple locations.
Bill affecting teachers who are also school board members
The House Retirement Committee voted yes on a bill, HB 969, by Rep. Rick Townsend R-Brunswick, which would permit retired teachers who run for local boards of education to keep their State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) benefits. The bill passed.
Join us for a special legislative briefing Tuesday
The GAE Legislative Contact Team (LCT) meets next Tuesday for a special briefing on the 2026 legislative session. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. and register here.
