SB 400 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education; unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; prohibit

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to require certain institutions to participate in the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund and to provide how such institutions may participate; to provide for indemnification; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 31, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate → LC 61 0478S/hss · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the original Senate version with a House substitute, which adds a specific definition for 'distance education' and clarifies that grievance procedures do not apply to denials of authorization to offer additional courses. The document also updates the bill title to indicate it is a substitute version.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, but the applicability of grievance procedures has been narrowed to exclude denials related to additional courses.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'distance education' to clarify how educational services delivered via technology are treated under the law.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the grievance process rules to explicitly state that they do not apply when an institution is denied authorization to offer additional courses.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title to reflect that this is a House substitute version, replacing the original Senate text and sponsor list.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

44–1

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 51

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic20

17 Yea 3

85% Yea

R Republican31

27 Yea 1 Nay 3

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors