Speaker Jon Burns’ priority legislation on school safety was debated for several hours by a special Senate Judiciary subcommittee Monday. HB 268, by Rep. Holt Persinger, R-Winder, passed the House with bipartisan support earlier this month, but has drawn debate in the Senate over the use of a database with concerns about possible misuse or criminalization of students.
The legislation came as a result of the tragic school shooting that left four dead last fall at Apalachee High School.
This bill would create a statewide student information database run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to improve information sharing between school systems, law enforcement and mental health professionals. The bill also requires school systems to create threat management teams, include behavioral threat assessment management plans in school safety plans, and mandates that students receive instruction on violence prevention and suicide awareness.
It would also create mental health counselor positions in schools and make it a felony to threaten someone with death at a school. The bill also requires the timely transfer of pertinent information when students transfer between schools.
A number of organizations testified before the subcommittee – both in favor of and against the bill. HB 268 is expected to be heard by the full Senate Judiciary Committee later this week.
Other highlights in education legislation:
SB 123 by Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, which addresses chronic absenteeism in the schools, passed by a vote of 160-1. Kennedy says the bill will ensure students have the resources necessary for future success inside and outside of the classroom.
HB 340 – The Distraction-Free Education Act by Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, instructs local school systems and boards of education to establish clear policies and procedures to remove access to personal devices or personal electronic devices at school-sponsored events and during school hours, or “bell-to-bell,” for K-8 students. The bill has exceptions for medical devices, certain district-provided devices, and device usage for IEPs and 504 plans. The bill passed the Senate by a 54-2 vote.
