Chief sponsor Sen. P.K. Martin, R-Lawrenceville, chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee, said widespread availability of computer courses could grow the supply of skilled workers in a high-demand field, creating opportunities for young adults. Less than half a percent of high school graduates have taken computer science, his bill says, yet there are "thousands" of unfilled jobs. And the logic learned in computer science can be generally applied.

"This can change the trajectory of people's lives," he said.