GED age requirement eliminated

Lawmakers gave final approval April 9 to a bill that removes 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, allows an individual who has completed all GED requirements to receive their diploma from the Commissioner of Education no matter their age.

The bill passed on a 49-0 vote.