Elimination of GED age requirement advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Feb. 9 to a bill that would remove an age requirement for obtaining a general education development diploma.

Current state law allows 16 and 17-year-olds to take the GED exam, but requires a person to be at least 18 to receive their diploma.

LB745, sponsored by Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, would allow an individual who has completed all GED requirements to receive their diploma from the Commissioner of Education no matter their age.

Juarez said the issue was brought to her attention by a constituent whose daughter finished her GED requirements at age 16 but was unable to receive her diploma because she was not yet 18.

“This statutory delay creates unnecessary burdens on young people who have met all the academic requirements and are ready to move on to the next stage of their lives,” Juarez said.

Seward Sen. Jana Hughes supported the bill, saying she was surprised that the age requirement was still in Nebraska law.

“Home-school kids sometimes take this GED test for their high school degree and … waiting until you’re 18 [to receive the diploma] absolutely makes no sense,” Hughes said.

Lawmakers advanced LB745 to select file on a 42-0 vote.