Gov. Nathan Deal was to sign a bill Wednesday allowing juvenile court judges to modify sentences of youthful felons who show good behavior, rehabilitation and academic achievement while in a youth detention center.
Juvenile Justice Department Commissioner Amy Howell said the "Good Behavior Bill" would incentivize delinquents to rehabilitate themselves and none too soon.
Right now "few are qualified for good behavior recommendations," a press release said.
The bill, HB 373, was sponsored by Rep. B.J. Pak, R-Lilburn and Sen, Joshua McKoon, R-Columbus. STEVE VISSER
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Federal authorities are warning public school officials across the country not to inquire about the immigration status of their students.
In Georgia, state lawmakers considered legislation this year that could have run counter to the warning. House Bill 296 would have required the state Board of Education to tally the expenditures, by school district, for illegal immigrants in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The U.S. Justice and Education departments cited a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which says school districts must educate children regardless of their legal status, in the warning they sent Friday.
HB 296 never made it out of committee this year. But its sponsor -- Republican Rep. Josh Clark of Buford -- plans to push for it next year. He said it's possible Georgia school officials could discern whether students are legally in the country through the records they already request of them and still comply with federal law. JEREMY REDMON
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Disaster recovery centers opened Friday in Bartow and Pickens counties to help tornado victims applying for assistance. The Pickens location also serves those affected in Cherokee county.
The centers are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week at Bartow County's Clarence Brown Conference Center, 5450 Highway 20 in Cartersville; the Pickens County Administrative Offices, 1266 E. Church St. in Jasper.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other agencies are available to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid and other assistance programs.
FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362). CHRISTOPHER QUINN
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County by county
Restaurant Inspections
How did the health inspector rate your neighborhood nosh? B4
Three of a Kind
It's time to go fishing. B5
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