Amid the looming disbandment of the U.S. Department of Education by President Donald J. Trump, Georgia is taking action to protect its workforce. The state is working to maintain professional standards and accreditations once overseen by the federal department.
According to the Georgia State Senate Press Office, Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia) is leading the effort with Senate Bill 154, which recently passed both the Georgia Senate and House. The bill aims to remove the U.S. Department of Education's influence from Georgia’s laws. "Many professions in Georgia have statutory education and training requirements regulated by the U.S. Department of Education," Hatchett explained. The bill's goal is to prevent an accreditation crisis for Georgia’s licensed professionals.
Hatchett's bill ensures that Georgia's standards remain intact even without federal oversight. The proposed law will update state codes to make the transition smoother, potentially setting a precedent for other states.
SB 154 now returns to the Senate for final consideration. Hatchett is committed to ensuring Georgia's workforce remains strong, emphasizing that the legislation will help the state effectively adapt to changes in workforce education. This shift from federal to state control over education standards could have widespread implications. However, Georgia is working to protect its professionals during this transition.
