GA SR432

Creates the Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee composed of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, with bipartisan cochairpersons from majority and minority parties

Committee will examine Georgia's current postsecondary education and transition offerings in prisons, study successful models nationwide, and recommend legislation to expand higher education opportunities for the state's 47,000+ incarcerated individuals

Motivated by 2023 federal FAFSA changes that restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students, increasing federal spending by $617 million—the largest opportunity for prison education expansion since 1994

Addresses Georgia's 30% recidivism rate, citing research showing prison education reduces recidivism by 43% and that implementation costs are offset by future savings

Committee will file a report with findings and legislative recommendations before abolishment on December 1, 2026