HB 1249: Education; require public elementary and secondary schools to display the Bill of Rights in multiple locations

Current Georgia law lets, but does not require, public schools to display historically significant documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. This bill amends that law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1021) to make display of the Bill of Rights mandatory rather than optional. Each public elementary and secondary school would have to post a durable poster or framed copy of the Bill of Rights at the main entrance of the main building, the main entrance of the school library or media center, and the main entrance of the cafeteria, by January 1, 2027. The display must be at least 18 by 24 inches, carry a centered heading reading 'The Bill of Rights,' and include the text of the First through Tenth Amendments in legible type. Schools are not required to spend public money on the displays but must accept donated funds or donated copies that meet the size and content rules. The State Board of Education must write implementing rules, and the Department of Education must post a list of free compliant resources online. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Requires every Georgia public elementary and secondary school to display a poster or framed copy of the Bill of Rights in three specific locations by January 1, 2027.
• Sets minimum size (18 by 24 inches) and content requirements for the display, including a required heading and the text of the first ten constitutional amendments.
• Bars schools from being forced to spend public funds on the displays but requires them to accept donated money or donated copies that meet the size and content rules.
• Directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the new display requirement.
• Directs the Department of Education to publish online a list of free resources schools can use to comply.
• Updates references to the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to spell them out as Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth in the existing list of historical documents schools may display.

Public elementary and secondary schools across Georgia, local school systems and boards of education, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Education. Students and school staff would see the new Bill of Rights displays in main buildings, libraries, and cafeterias.

Schools that currently have no Bill of Rights posted would need to add one in three locations by a set deadline, though the bill shields districts from an unfunded spending mandate by requiring them to accept donations instead. Families and staff would see the same required text and layout in every public school building.

• Section 1 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1021 to make display of the Bill of Rights mandatory, whereas display of other historical documents (Declaration of Independence, Mayflower Compact, etc.) remains optional.
• New subsection (b)(1)-(2) sets a January 1, 2027 deadline and requires displays at the main entrance of the main building, the library or media center, and the cafeteria.
• New subsection (b)(3) requires the poster or framed copy to be at least 18 inches by 24 inches, with a centered 'The Bill of Rights' heading and the text of the First through Tenth Amendments.
• New subsection (b)(4) says schools cannot be required to spend public funds on the displays but must accept donated funds or donated copies meeting the requirements.
• New subsection (b)(5) directs the State Board of Education to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
• New subsection (b)(6) directs the Department of Education to publish free compliant resources on its website.
• Section 2 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.

1. 2026-02-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-09House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor

• public schools
• Bill of Rights
• education policy
• school displays
• civics education