Controversial school vouchers bill signed into law

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Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill creating the "Georgia Promise Scholarship" into law on Tuesday.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial school choice bill into law on Tuesday. 

Senate Bill 233 allows students attending the lowest-performing public schools to receive a $6,500 stipend to attend a private school. Critics say it could weaken public schools and cut funding.

Supporters of the bill surrounded kemp as he signed it at the state capitol. 

Kimberly Leftwich has two children with dyslexia who left public school to attend private school. 

“We want our kids to succeed in any way possible and we want to do our best as parents to give them every opportunity and this bill gives us as parents the opportunity to make the best choices for our family,” she said. 

The money won't be available until the 2025 school year. 

Kemp also signed a bill that requires age verification for social media, and requires users to be at least 16 to use it.

Another bill Kemp signed on Tuesday creates a fund for teachers to purchase school supplies.