House Bill 1239
By: Representatives Berry of the 56th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Ali of the 106th, Clark of the
108th, and Lupton of the 83rd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance relative to elementary and secondary
school students, so as to require the local governing body for each school system and public
school to adopt a policy providing that students shall be granted not less than two excused
absences per school year for attending or participating in a civic or political event; to require
the State Board of Education to develop a model policy; to provide a definition; to provide
a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters;
to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Student Civic Participation and
Encouragement Act."
SECTION 2.
Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance relative to elementary and secondary school
students, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"20-2-692.5.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'civic or political event' means a strike, public
comment, candidate speech, political or civil forum, town hall, protest, or similar event.
(b) The local governing body of each local school system and public school shall adopt a
policy providing that a student shall be granted not less than two excused absences per
school year for attending or participating in a civic or political event. Such policy shall
provide for:
(1) Notification by the parent or guardian of a student, or the student if he or she is 18
years of age or older or is an emancipated minor, to the local school system or public
school that such student will be absent due to attendance at or participation in a civic or
political event, which shall be provided not less than one school day prior to the absence;
and
(2) Documentation of absences excused in accordance with this Code section.
(c) The State Board of Education shall develop a model policy for use by local school
systems and public schools in accordance with this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply beginning with the
2026-2027 school year.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.