HB 372 (Rep. Coomer and Others)

There is likely a local story behind this one, but this bill, dubbed the "Utopian Academy for the Arts Act" amends current code by added a new subsection, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068.2 which prohibits cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from requiring a charter school, which has passed the Department of Education facilities inspection and has an occupancy permit, to obtain any other licensure to operate, including a business license, professional license or occupational tax certificate.  Provided however that any for profit vendor of the charter school shall be subject to any applicable local requirements relating to doing business in this state.  Charter schools are subject to all applicable zoning, planning and building permitting requirements when building or renovating a facility.

The following text from HB 474 was attached to the approved bill:

Amends current code section 20-202062 to add definitions as follows:

• Educational disadvantaged student - students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, igrant students, limited English proficient students, neglected or delinquent students and homeless students.
• Military student - the dependent child of an active duty military service member in Georgia or who is on deployment and lists Georgia as such service member's home of record.

The bill also amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2066 relating to admission, enrollment, and withdrawal of students to add "economically disadvantaged students" and "military students" as enrollment priority categories which may be specified in the charter for start-up charters, conversion charters, and state charters schools.