Analysis:

 

SUMMARY: LC 49 1174-EC

This bill is the "Safe Schools Act," an initiative of Governor Kemp. By December 31, 2023, the Professional Standards Commission (PSC), in consultation with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, must create a school safety and anti-gang endorsement for eligible certificated personnel, as determined by the PSC rules, who choose to complete a training program approved by the PSC in multidisciplinary best practices for promoting and preserving safe schools and for identifying and deterring youth gangs. The PSC, in consultation with GEMA/HS, shall also establish measures to assess the fidelity of training and implementation for those receiving the endorsement.

Institutions with a teacher certification program are encouraged to include this training in their programs.

The bill also amends the current requirements for school safety plans and drills by requiring the safety plans be submitted to GEMA/HS in addition to the local emergency management agency and the local law enforcement agency for approval. It adds administrators to those who must participate in the drills on the safety plan.

A new requirement is that by October 1st each school year every public school must conduct an intruder alert drill for students, school administrators, teachers, and other school personnel based on guidance from GEMA/HS. Every school system or public school governing body must promptly report to GEMA/HS the completion of the drill. The local board or school governing body may provide an option for a parent to choose, in writing, for their child not to participate in the intruder alert drills.

"Intruder alert drills" are defined as a set of procedures designed to familiarize the occupants of a building with ways to protect themselves against potential threats posed by an intruder who possesses or is suspected of possessing a weapon as defined in 20-2-742. FYI, the code section referenced will send you to 20-2-751 which when put together seems to include those things considered a weapon in a school zone. 

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2023