Governor Brian Kemp has amended his proposed budget for K-12 public schools to prioritize school security grants, signaling his unwavering commitment to keeping Georgia’s students safe. As concerns over school safety grow nationwide, Georgia lawmakers from both parties are taking steps to ensure that schools are prepared and protected.
A broad bipartisan consensus has emerged on improving information-sharing between school districts to better track students’ safety records. However, as discussions deepen, some divisions have surfaced regarding the specifics of proposed legislation.
Among the most ambitious proposals is a House leadership plan to create a statewide data system for student health and safety information. This database would allow school administrators, mental health counselors, and law enforcement officials to access critical data within days of a student’s transfer to a new school.
Republican Leadership Focuses on Accountability and Security
State Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) is leading the charge to hold students accountable for threats against schools with Senate Bill 61. This bill would create a new felony offense for making “terroristic threats” or committing “terroristic acts” on school property. The legislation also mandates enhanced information-sharing between schools and law enforcement.
“There’s a breakdown,” Dolezal said. “There’s a lack of communication between law enforcement and the school system that needs to be fixed immediately.”
In addition to Dolezal’s bill, Senate Bill 17, co-sponsored by Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) and Cobb County state Senator John Albers (R-Alpharetta), would require all local school systems to implement panic alert systems to ensure real-time coordination with first responders in a crisis.
Known as Alyssa’s Law, the bill is inspired by successful alert systems already in use. Anavitarte said, This will save lives. When a crisis hit Apalachee High School, it was the alert system that notified public safety and helped prevent a tragedy.
Democrat Proposals Linger in Committee
Democrats have introduced their own versions of safety legislation. Cobb County state Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett (D-Marietta) co-sponsored Senate Bill 54, which proposes a statewide database to track threats made on or near school campuses. However, unlike Republican-backed bills, SB 54 has yet to receive a hearing and remains stalled in the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
Protecting Families and Preserving Freedoms
In another bold move, Republican state Senator Anavitarte is also pushing for an 11-day tax holiday on firearms, ammunition, and accessories, including gun safes. This proposal would give law-abiding citizens a break while encouraging responsible gun ownership.
Predictably, Democrats have criticized the measure, despite the overwhelming public support for the Second Amendment in Georgia.
