Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HB 1023: Education; utilize weapon detection systems in certain school buildings; require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies

Comm Sub version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 31, 2026 · Engrossed

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The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to HB 1023:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Article 27 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to loitering at or disrupting schools, so as to require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to establish and provide for security measures to detect weapons and to aid in the prevention of individuals attempting to unlawfully possess or carry weapons in certain school buildings; to provide for exceptions; to authorize the use of funding; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 27 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to loitering at or disrupting schools, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"20-2-1187.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'weapon' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-127.1.

(b)(1) Each local board of education and other public school governing body shall implement a weapon detection system and shall adopt policies, rules, regulations, and procedures as necessary to establish and provide for security measures to:

(A) Detect, through electronic, analytical, visual, olfactory, or other means, the presence of weapons; and

(B) Aid in the prevention of any individual attempting to unlawfully possess or carry a weapon in any permanent building that is owned by or leased to a local board of education or other public school governing body where students are present in accordance with routine school operations and procedures.

(2) Such system, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures shall, at a minimum, require that such security measures are utilized at all main points of entry to such permanent buildings, as provided in school safety plans required under Code Section 20-2-1185; provided, however, that such security measures shall not be required for any point of entry to or exit from such permanent buildings that routinely remains locked, is equipped with an alarm that sounds when the point of entry or exit is accessed, and is not intended for student use or is intended for student use only on an emergency basis.

(c) Each local board of education and other public school governing body shall be authorized to use available grants and other funding to meet the requirements of this Code section."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2028.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.