GA HB56

Expands the Public Safety Memorial Grant to cover spouses (not just children) of law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, prison guards, and highway emergency response operators killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty

Increases maximum grant amounts from $2,000 to $18,000 per academic year and lifetime cap from $8,000 to $72,000

Creates a new tuition grant program for children and spouses of public school teachers and employees killed or permanently disabled by an act of violence in the line of duty, with the same $18,000 annual and $72,000 lifetime limits

Adds voluntary charitable contribution options on state income tax returns and driver's license forms (beginning January 1, 2026) to fund these educational grants through the Georgia Student Finance Authority

Applies retroactively to incidents occurring prior to July 1, 2025, allowing previously affected families to qualify for grants