4 Surprising Benefits of Parental Love That Set Children Up for a Flourishing Life

by Joyce Mayberry | Mar 7, 2025

Parental love helps children gain the emotional health, behavioral skills, and academic success that unlocks social mobility.

4 Surprising Benefits of Parental Love That Set Children Up for a Flourishing Life

Key Points

Parental love plays a central role in children’s long-term development and life outcomes.
The bond between parents and children lays the groundwork for emotional health, social skills, and academic success—all of which are important factors in improving social mobility for kids.

Parental love is more than just affection—it’s a powerful force that can shape a child’s life in profound ways. Far beyond the hugs and bedtime stories, the bond between a parent and child lays the groundwork for emotional security, social skills, academic achievements, and even lifelong decision-making.

Think of it as building a foundation for the future. Parents who provide consistent love and support create an environment where children feel safe to grow, learn, and thrive. These positive relationships don’t just affect childhood—they set the stage for success and resilience well into adulthood.

Parental love enables children to be at their best emotionally, socially, and academically

But why is this connection so vital? And what does science say about the benefits of parental love? From boosting emotional health to improving academic success, the rewards are more surprising and far-reaching than you might think.

1. Emotional well-being and mental health

A child who feels loved and supported grows up with a strong sense of security and self-worth. This emotional foundation helps children manage stress and develop resilience during difficult times. Research shows that children with strong relationships with their parents are better adjusted emotionally and face fewer mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression.

2. Behavioral regulation

Parental love plays a crucial role in teaching kids how to interact with the world. Through daily interactions, children learn emotional regulation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. These lessons form the building blocks of self-control and appropriate social behavior, helping children grow into responsible adults.

3. Academic success

Children with engaged parents tend to do better in school. By being involved in their children’s education—whether it’s attending parent-teacher conferences, helping with homework, or simply being a source of encouragement—parents can spark a love of learning. The result? Higher grades, better school attendance, and a more motivated, confident student.

4. Prevention of risky behaviors

Strong parent-child relationships act as protective measures against risky behaviors, including substance abuse, delinquency, and teen pregnancy. When children feel connected to their parents, they’re more likely to seek parental guidance when facing tough decisions, reducing the likelihood of engaging in harmful activities.

Through GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids Program, communities can offer parents a safe, supportive place to learn how to nurture loving bonds at home.

Empowering parents to strengthen loving relationships is one of the best priorities a community can have

At the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), we understand the critical role parents play in raising capable, confident kids. Our Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program focuses on empowering parents by teaching them the 40 Developmental Assets—a research-driven framework that fosters emotional and social growth in children. These assets cover essential aspects like support, empowerment, and positive identity, serving as the foundation for raising resilient kids.

RHCK has benefited parents like Brittany Moore, who found the workshop life-changing. The program provided her with practical tools, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence to handle conflicts.

“Parenting is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs, and there’s no shame in seeking support,” Brittany shared. She emphasizes that RHCK is more than just a workshop—it’s a welcoming community of people who understand the ups and downs of raising children. “You’ll walk away with valuable lessons, practical tools, and a renewed sense of confidence,” she said.

Through RHCK, parents receive tools and strategies to build loving, stable homes. Here’s how it works:

Workshops and classes: Parents participate in structured sessions that offer guidance on fostering healthy relationships and teaching critical life skills.
Hands-on support: Expert facilitators provide personalized support, helping parents identify areas of growth and build stronger connections with their children.
Community-building: RHCK creates a supportive community where parents can collaborate, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Interested in getting involved with RHCK?

If you’re ready to grow stronger as a parent and learn how intentional, loving relationships can lead to transformational change in your family, we welcome you to join the RHCK program where you’ll find a safe, supportive environment to access the tools, strategies, and community needed to confidently tackle the ups and downs of parenting.

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Want our kids to be seen, heard, and valued? Get the community involved.

by Joyce Mayberry | Aug 6, 2024

The proven building blocks of child development can empower communities to get involved in helping parents raise highly capable kids.

Want our kids to be seen, heard, and valued? Get the community involved.

Key Points

Community is a powerful force in the journey of raising healthy, happy kids. Research shows that relationships with others, especially adults, shape who children become.
A powerful tool for parents and communities is understanding the research-based building blocks of child development.
Engaging with these building blocks empowers communities to better address the physical, emotional, and social needs involved in raising kids well.

Research shows that children’s relationships with others—extended family members, caregivers, teachers, coaches, and the broader community—shape who they become as adults.

If these relationships are positive and nurturing, then kids learn that the world is safe and secure and that they are loved.

At the Georgia Center for Opportunity, we believe that community is a powerful force in the journey of raising healthy, happy kids.

What happens in homes and communities has the greatest impact on the outcomes of each person’s life. After all, families and neighborhoods are the first places where people learn to love and trust one another, to live in community, and to sacrifice for others.

This dynamic is especially important for children in difficult situations, whether it be poverty and or other disadvantages. Children thrive when they have access to nurturing relationships and supportive environments, which help the development of important life skills.

When these supports are lacking, children may face additional challenges, including mental health struggles, difficulty finding employment, and economic hardship. By giving parents and communities tools to address these needs, we can shape better outcomes for all children.

According to the Search Institute, young people need positive relationships with three or more adults outside of their family to help them become healthy, responsible, caring adults themselves.

Children’s lives are formed in community

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” (Margaret J. Wheatley)

While parents are the first and best teachers for their kids, children’s lives are shaped by many different people, places, and experiences within their community.

GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program gives communities a resource that’s designed to involve parents, caregivers, teachers, and broader communities equipping kids with skills and behaviors that will carry them into a successful future.

RHCK teaches these through a research-based framework known as the 40 Developmental Assets. The effect of these developmental assets is even more powerful when whole communities understand and engage with them.

Young people need more relationships with positive adult role models for their development.

What happens when a community embraces the building blocks of raising highly capable kids?

Shared responsibility: Involving the community ensures that children’s development and education is shared among the most important influences in kids’ lives—parents, educators, coaches, caregivers, and local organizations.

Holistic support: Community involvement provides access to a range of resources and support systems that can serve the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs that are essential to raising highly capable kids.

Diverse perspectives: Communities are rich in diversity—with individuals from different cultural, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds. Involving the community brings together diverse perspectives and experiences, enriching the educational process and ensuring that it’s inclusive and culturally relevant.

Stronger networks: Community involvement forms connections between parents, educators, and community leaders, creating networks that are valuable sources of information and encouragement for parents as they navigate the challenges and joys of raising their kids.

Access to resources: Communities have access to a wide range of resources like educational programs, recreational facilities, health services, and social support networks. Community involvement ensures that parents and caregivers have access to resources that enhance their ability to support their children’s development.

Positive norms and values: Communities play a crucial role in shaping the norms, values, and expectations that influence child development. By involving the community in educational initiatives focused on the 40 developmental assets, we can promote positive norms, values, and expectations that prioritize the well-being and success of children and families.

Supportive environments: Communities help create a supportive and stable environment where parents and caregivers feel empowered and encouraged in their role as primary influencers in their children’s lives. This support can boost parental confidence and resilience—enabling them to overcome challenges and advocate effectively for their children’s needs.

Sustainable impact: Communities foster a sense of ownership and investment in the well-being of children and families. By engaging the community in educational initiatives focused on the 40 developmental assets, we can invest in the well-being of children and families in a way that leads to long-term impact for current and future generations.

Our Raising Highly Capable Kids program is designed to bring parents and communities together to fostering a supportive environments and a common goal of nurturing capable and resilient kids.

Highly capable communities lead to highly capable kids

Our world is marked by constant change and uncertainty. And kids today are often pulled in directions that their parents and grandparents can barely fathom.

Communities coming together to prioritize family health and overall well-being of the parent-child relationship has never been more important in raising highly capable kids who will lead purpose-driven, meaningful lives.

The goal of RHCK is to empower anyone who works with kids and youth—including parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, church and business leaders—to pool collective resources, knowledge, and experiences. This type of collaboration creates a support network to raise the next generation to become valued, flourishing members of the community.

Whether it’s through RHCK or another opportunity, the reality on the ground remains the same: Children’s growth and development is shaped by those closest to them.

By reaching into homes, schools, and faith-based groups, we can ensure communities are nurturing places where families can thrive and future generations have good opportunities for enriching relationships, meaningful work, and better quality of life.

Marriage Rates in Georgia Are Down. But Marriage Still Matters For Quality of Life and Upward Mobility.

by David Bass | Jun 27, 2024

Marriage rates in Georgia are down, which is a factor to watch for overall well-being.

Marriage Rates in Georgia Are Down. But Marriage Still Matters For Quality of Life and Upward Mobility.

Key Points

Georgia has seen a decline in marriage rates, mirroring a national trend. Only 30% of Georgians have been married at least once, and U.S. marriage rates have fallen by nearly 60% over the past 50 years.
Despite these trends, marriage remains a significant predictor of adult well-being, more so than education, race, age or gender. Married individuals often report higher happiness and satisfaction levels, and benefits include emotional stability, financial security, and social support.
We must address economic, education, and social safety-net barriers to marriage while creating a supporting environment that fosters marriage and family formation.

Recent reports, including a piece from Axios, have highlighted a concerning trend in Georgia—declining marriage rates.

According to data from the American Community Survey, only 30% of Georgians have been married at least once in their lives. This is indicative of a larger national trend: The marriage rate across the U.S. has fallen by nearly 60% over the past 50 years.

While societal pressures to marry have lessened and many young people doubt the benefits of marriage, this decline raises important questions about the impact on individual well-being and societal mobility.

Marriage rates in Georgia are a leading factor in quality of life

Helping people form healthy, committed relationships is a key pillar of the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s mission to help all Georgians flourish. Relationships are essential to well-being in general, but marriage has a particular impact on the quality of life and upward mobility for men, women, and children.

Quality of life

Marital status is one of the strongest predictors of adult well-being, surpassing other factors like education, race, age, and gender. According to the Institute for Family Studies and Gallup, married individuals often report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction compared to their unmarried peers. This isn’t just about companionship—marriage can provide emotional stability, financial security, and social support, all of which contribute to a better quality of life.

Upward mobility

Marriage also plays a critical role in economic mobility. Couples often benefit from dual incomes, shared resources, and consolidated expenses, making it easier to save and invest in the future. This financial stability can lead to better opportunities in terms of education, homeownership, and overall wealth accumulation. Essentially, marriage can act as a catalyst for achieving a higher economic status and breaking free from cycles of poverty.

Benefits for children

Children raised in two-parent, married families often experience greater stability and economic advantages, contributing significantly to their overall well-being. Additional research from the Institute for Family Studies shows that children who live in households with married parents experience more financially secure environments, less conflict, and more parental support.

Marital status is key factor in personal well-being and quality of life.

According to polling from Gallup, married people report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. This is another indicator of how essential relationships are for personal well-being and quality of life.

Marital status is a key factor for personal well-being and quality of life.

According to polling from Gallup, married people report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. This is another indicator of how essential relationships are for personal well-being and quality of life.

Certain barriers in Georgia make marriage and its benefits hard to pursue

Despite marriage’s benefits, Georgia has several barriers that discourage marriage as a path to fulfilling relationships and flourishing lives. Educational challenges and a social safety net that frequently discourages marriage are a couple of significant roadblocks that can make it harder for people to pursue marriage.

Educational challenges

Educational attainment is another significant barrier. Those with higher levels of education are more likely to marry, but educational opportunities are not evenly distributed across the state. Addressing these disparities could encourage higher marriage rates and, consequently, greater upward mobility.

A social safety net that punishes marriage

Another significant barrier to marriage in Georgia is the “marriage penalty” embedded within many social safety net programs. The term refers to the phenomenon where low-income individuals or couples may actually lose financial benefits by getting married.

Programs such as Medicaid, housing assistance, and food stamps often have income thresholds that discourage marriage. When two low-income individuals marry, their combined income might exceed these thresholds, leading to a reduction or complete loss of benefits—creating a “benefits cliff.”

This financial disincentive can make marriage less appealing for low-income individuals who rely on these crucial programs to make ends meet. By losing access to necessary support, the economic stability that marriage can potentially offer is compromised, perpetuating a cycle where the cons outweigh the pros.

Addressing these safety-net barriers is essential for fostering an environment where marriage can thrive and contribute positively to individual and societal well-being.

The way forward

While the decline in marriage rates in Georgia is a complex issue influenced by various societal and economic factors, it’s essential to recognize the underlying benefits of marriage. Beyond the romantic ideals, marriage plays a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life and facilitating upward mobility.

To counteract the downward trend, it’s necessary to address the barriers that discourage marriage and create a more supportive environment for couples.

Op-Ed: This Father’s Day, men are struggling. We need to help them

by Randy Hicks | Jun 18, 2024

Media statement, in the news, Georgia news, ga news

Op-Ed: This Father’s Day, men are struggling. We need to help them

RANDY HICKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 16, it’s time for a renewed call to help men flourish in modern-day America. It’s well past time to begin addressing what has emerged as a deep problem in the United States: Aimless, lonely, detached men. The challenge is most deeply experienced in poor, low-income, and working-class communities.

Consider that 6 million prime-age, able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 54 are absent from the labor force – even in today’s economy with such low unemployment rates last seen in the 1960s. Even many men who are working are underemployed or in low-skill jobs. In 2021, for example, approximately 6.6% of unrelated individuals in the labor force for 27 weeks or more – many of whom are from working-class communities – were classified as working poor, meaning their incomes fell below the official poverty level despite their work efforts.

Read the full opinion in The Center Square.

The Marriage Penalty: A Barrier to Relational Support and Better Opportunities for the Poor

by David Bass | Feb 12, 2024

The marriage penalty is a government tax policy that increases the tax burden on low-income households trying to pursue better lives and economic mobility through marriage.

The Marriage Penalty: A Barrier to Relational Support and Better Opportunities for the Poor

Key Points

A lack of connection and supportive relationships, especially at home, is a driving factor of long-term poverty. Marriage is one type of relationship that research has shown to be a building block of stable lives and communities.
Communities in Georgia and beyond are struggling with a barrier called the marriage penalty—a government tax policy that forces couples to pay more in taxes as a result of increasing household income through marriage.
The marriage penalty tax discourages those in poverty from improving their financial situation and forming strong support systems at home.

Strong relationships are a cornerstone of vibrant communities. Of the many types of relationships in day-to-day life, research shows that marriage is one of the most important for empowering individuals, regardless of race or circumstance, to avoid long-term poverty and find stability and opportunity.

But communities in Georgia and beyond are struggling to reap the benefits of marriage—and a big reason is a government tax policy called the marriage penalty.

Why does marriage matter for those in poverty?

We celebrate marriage because it provides people with relational connection and support. When we think about helping someone escape or avoid long-term poverty, we might assume that a person’s economic needs are most important to address. But that would be missing a critical piece of the puzzle.

A lack of connection and supportive relationships, especially at home, is a driving factor of long-term poverty.

Those in poverty often need this relationship and support system to a greater level, which is why we at GCO emphasize the benefits marriage offers for individuals, children, and communities. Higher marriage rates tend to go hand-in-hand less crime, better education outcomes, less child poverty, and more upward mobility.

Of course, not every person will get married, but the impact that close, healthy relationships have on the stability of lives and communities cannot be understated.

The impact that close, healthy relationships have on the stability of lives and communities cannot be understated. In fact, it’s one of the biggest factors in helping people overcome long-term poverty.

Understanding the marriage penalty tax

A marriage penalty occurs when a couple faces higher taxes as a result of marrying and filing jointly. Higher taxes are linked to higher income, so it might seem like the marriage penalty is simply an inconvenience for households with high enough earnings to afford it.

But the marriage penalty poses a significant problem for low-income households, as well. It creates a financial risk if one or both spouses are receiving government benefits and getting married would increase household income. That increase can trigger a sudden loss in benefits—even if households aren’t fully earning enough to offset the loss. This scenario holds particularly true for couples who earn a modest income—those in the working class or lower middle class earning around $28,000 to $55,000 a year.

Marriage penalties apply at the federal tax level, but there are 15 states that also have marriage penalties built into their state income tax brackets. Georgia is one of them.

Georgia is one of 15 states that have a marriage penalty built into the state income tax structure.

Marriage penalties stifle financial independence

The gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” has increased when it comes to marriage. While the wealthy and upper middle class continue to marry at high rates, marriage is far less common among the poor, working class, and lower middle class.

According to data from the 2015 American Community Survey, 56% of adults between the ages of 18 and 55 are married who fall into the upper middle class. That contrasts with 39% of those in the working class and just 26% of those who are poor.

There are many reasons why marriage rates have declined for these groups, but in the realm of government policy, the marriage penalty is one of the most discouraging factors.

For example, a single mom with a few kids would need to find a spouse who earns a significantly higher salary than her in order to overcome the loss of benefits if they chose to get married. In some cases, the penalty is so extreme that she would need to marry someone earning more than $40 per hour—or more than $80,000 annually if full time—to recover from the loss in safety-net benefits like food stamps, refundable tax credits, and medical assistance.

Through a focus group organized by GCO and the Institute for Family Studies, we met Tiana, who experienced this situation firsthand. “I chose not to marry,” she told us. “For one, I get a lot of assistance. I have a disabled child. So being if I did marry or put any other type of income in, I would not qualify for anything.”

More than one-in-10 unmarried Americans whose income falls below the median reported they were not married for fear of losing “access to government benefits,” according to a recent IFS/Wheatley Institution survey. The research indicates that penalties can amount to between 10% and 30% of household income for many families in the poor and working-class income brackets.

Marriage penalties discourage strong support systems at home

The bottom line is that the marriage penalty harms many of the poor who are working and attempting to make a better life for themselves and their families. It does so by discouraging the very thing we know impacts poverty the most—family and relationship formation.

Fewer marriages is bad news for children: Social science research shows, time and again, that children do best in a stable, married two-parent household.

Married households have the lowest poverty rate of any household configuration at just 6.3% in 2020. Meanwhile, one-in-three children live in a single-parent household today, 80% of those households being headed by a single mom. And the unfortunate reality is that single-mom households are the most likely to be in poverty of any family structure in the U.S.—a staggering 34% in 2020, accounting for over 5.1 million children in poverty.

Solutions to eliminate the marriage penalty tax

The ultimate solution to eliminate marriage penalties is federal action to reform how government benefits are structured. However, states can take the lead as they streamline eligibility standards and form individual action plans.

That’s why GCO is hard at work at in Georgia and across the country to educate lawmakers on the perils of benefits cliffs and possible fixes.

At the end of the day, however, government reforms are only part of the solution. The institutions of marriage and family are suffering not only from government obstacles, but also societal challenges. Civil society organizations—such as churches, nonprofits, and schools—are critical avenues for local support and examples of how to cultivate healthy family relationships. While this is not something that government programs can accomplish, classes and curriculum may be incorporated into case management.

Americans deserve a strong safety net that serves as a bridge out of poverty. But no government program or policy should be a barrier to the relationships needed in the places where lives are formed and transformed— in homes and communities.

Georgia’s 2024 Legislative Session: An Agenda to Lift Up Vulnerable Communities

by David Bass | Jan 26, 2024

Georgia’s 2024 Legislative Session: An Agenda to Lift Up Vulnerable Communities

Key Points

As Georgia lawmakers convene for the 2024 legislative session, multiple bills are on the table that could break down barriers in poor and disadvantaged communities.
A key issue to track: education opportunity. Lawmakers have a chance to enact several options, including Georgia Promise Scholarships (SB 233), expansion of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, and public school transfers.
Other bills to know include job licensing reforms to expand work opportunities for people with criminal records (SB 157) and a reform to better connect welfare and work support in Georgia (HB 738)

Georgia lawmakers are back in Atlanta for what could prove to be the most impactful legislative session in years. Georgia’s legislature is considering multiple bills that could break down barriers facing poor and disadvantaged communities.

The timetable is short. The session will end by March 28, so time is of the essence if our elected officials are going to improve the quality of life for the people they serve. Below is a list of a few bills our team is watching and working on to lift up vulnerable and low-income communities across Georgia.

Our hope for the 2024 session: Give more Georgians better pathways out of poverty and into opportunity

“During the 2024 session, we hope to see tremendous progress on expanding school choice through passage of Senate Bill 233, the Promise Scholarship bill,” said GCO’s vice president of public policy, Buzz Brockway. “In addition, we hope to see an increase in the cap on Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship program, which would also expand private school options parents have.”

“We also will be working on seeing SB 157 passed into law,” Brockway added. “This bill will create a pathway for people with a criminal record many years in the past to obtain an occupational license, opening up opportunities for many people to earn a living and support their family. Finally, we hope to make progress on reforming how Georgia delivers workforce and safety-net programs, placing people on a pathway toward self-sufficiency.”

Education: Expanding schooling options to help families find the best fit for their kids

SB 233, Promise Scholarships: Would make $6,500 per student available for parents to direct toward the best educational opportunities for their children. The funds would be available for use for private school tuition and public school alternatives, such as homeschooling. The scholarships would only be available to students enrolled in the lower 25% of schools in Georgia, amounting to around 400,000 students. Status: The Georgia Senate passed the bill in 2023 but it fell short in the House by a 85-89 margin. However, it is eligible for reconsideration this session. In his recent State of the State address, Gov. Brian Kemp gave full-throated support to getting Promise Scholarships passed this year. To learn more, view our primer on Promise Scholarships.
SB 147, public school district transfers: Would allow students to transfer to a different public school within their district or a different district. This would provide much needed support for the majority of families who chose to continue sending their students to public schools in Georgia. Status: The Senate tabled this bill in 2023 but it is eligible for consideration this year.
HB 54 and HB 101, Tax Credit Scholarship cap increase: Would raise the cap on the Tax Credit Scholarship from $120 million to $130 million. Through this program, businesses and individuals can donate toward private school scholarships for K-12 students enrolled in public schools. In return, they receive a dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit. In 2022, lawmakers raised the cap from $100 million to $120 million, but demand continues to increase, making another jump necessary. Status: The measures weren’t considered in 2023 but they are eligible for reconsideration this year.
HB 318, improve charter school laws: This measure would reestablish the Office of Charter School Compliance under the State Charter Schools Commission. Currently, two entities oversee charter schools in Georgia: The State Charter School Commission oversees state authorized charter schools, while the Georgia Department of Education oversees charters authorized by local boards of education. This creates confusion and differences in application of laws and rules governing charter school laws. HB 318 would bring oversight of all charters under one roof, providing more resources and uniformed application of laws and rules regarding charters. Status: Both chambers passed this bill in 2023 but the Senate amended it and the House did not reconsider the changes. The bill is eligible to be considered this year.

Safety-net reform: Connecting our welfare system to work support

One Door task force bill in Georgia, HB 738: Our nation’s welfare system is a fragmented hodgepodge of programs. The dozens of programs that make up the system have different and, at times, competing goals, inconsistent rules, and overlapping groups of recipients. At the same time, there is often a disconnect between safety-net programs and welfare-to-work initiatives. The end result is that people stay mired in generational poverty rather than receiving a helping hand to live a better life. In this environment, the GCO team is on the vanguard of educating about safety-net reform. A key way we are doing so in Georgia is by pushing forward this legislation to create a One Door task force in the state. The task force would study how to integrate the safety net with workforce development, in line with the successful One Door approach in Utah. Other states, including West Virginia and Louisiana, are weighing similar proposals. So why not here in Georgia? Status: The bill was introduced in the House in 2023 and is now moving through committee this year.

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Occupational licensing and public safety: Increasing personal safety and job opportunities in local communities

Senate Bill 157, appeals process for justice involved individuals: Would create a preclearance process in licensing of individuals with criminal records who make an application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions. Often, returning citizens from the criminal justice system face huge barriers in finding work, and we know that attachment to work is a significant determinant of an individual not ending up back behind prison walls. Status: This measure was added to the House Rules calendar last year but didn’t receive any attention.
House Bill 212, Niche-Beauty Services Opportunity Act: Would offer barbers and cosmetologists the opportunity to provide services like blow-dry styling, braiding, threading, and the application of cosmetics without requiring licensure by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. Occupational licensing is needed in some industries and job categories due to public health and safety concerns, but the laws on the books today in many cases are an unnecessary roadblock to employment for workers. Status: The House tabled the bill last session but it is eligible for consideration this year.
House Bill 334: Expungement: Would revise Georgia’s requirement that criminal history records be disclosed in certain situations. Known as expungement, this is an important step for individuals who have served their time and need to reintegrate into the workforce. Status: The bill was amended onto Senate Bill 157 but never came to a vote.

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