Georgia’s 2025 Legislative Session—An Update as We Approach Crossover Day
It’s a busy time under the Gold Dome as we approach Crossover Day on March 6th. Crossover Day is the deadline by which bills must pass one chamber in time to be considered by the other before the end of session on April 4th.
We’re keeping an eye on bills that affect young children, families, and the people who care for them, including the state budget where many of our priorities lie (check out more on the state budget process here)
Below are highlights of what’s been happening under the Gold Dome, including relevant budget items and opportunities to take action. To see all the bills that we’re tracking, click here (note: we aim to keep this page as updated as possible during a rapidly changing legislative session).
Early Childhood Education
In December, the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care issued bold recommendations to address Georgia’s child care challenges. GEEARS applauds these recommendations and is working to make them a reality. In particular, GEEARS was pleased to see increased state funding for Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program included as a recommendation. CAPS provides scholarships to help some working families afford child care.
The governor included an additional $3.9 M for 500 additional CAPS scholarships in his budget proposal released in January. Given the size of the demand, we see this as a starting point and hope to see the final number at least match recent investments made by similar states (e.g., $69 million in Florida).
Ways to take action in support of child care:
Child and Family Health
We were pleased to see the inclusion of additional funding for Georgia’s Perinatal Health Partnership home visiting program and regional perinatal health centers in the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Budget.
We are hopeful that additional funding will be added to increase reimbursement rates for Babies Can’t Wait Service Coordinators and Special Instructors, who support young children with disabilities and their families.
Family Supports and Well-Being
One direct outcome of the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care was the introduction of SB 89, which creates a state child tax credit for children birth-age 6 that could help families mitigate the increasing costs of raising young children. The bipartisan legislation also makes enhancements to existing tax credits, including the state Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and a credit for employer-sponsored child care. GEEARS testified in support of this bill, which has since passed out of committee and received unanimous support in the Senate.
GEEARS is also pleased to see the introduction of HB 500, which would expand access to Georgia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. TANF provides financial assistance to working parents and relative caregivers, but it is currently very difficult to qualify. HB 500 updates TANF’s monthly benefit and eligibility limit for the first time in 28 years ago. HB 500 passed unanimously out of committee and is headed to Rules.
Ways to take action in support of TANF:
As we get closer to the end of legislative session on April 4th, your advocacy is more important than ever. Please be on the lookout for more opportunities to take action as things wind into high gear!