Bill would suspend HOPE for students convicted in campus protests; lawmakers debate scope

Representative James Fleming, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, introduced House Bill 6602 to the House Rules Committee on crossover day, describing it as a measure to strip state financial support from students convicted of certain acts of violence, vandalism or aggression on college campuses.

The bill would apply to students who receive state scholarships, loans or grants — "such as HOPE" — at Georgia public and private postsecondary institutions and would suspend their state financial support for one semester following a conviction, Fleming said. "We're not talking here about peaceful protest," Fleming said. "...once the line is crossed and there are laws broke, that is what we're going after." (Representative James Fleming)

Why it matters

HOPE is a major state scholarship program used by thousands of Georgia students; altering eligibility rules would affect students' ability to pay tuition…