HB 1327: Education; install key boxes at each school building in locations determined in collaboration with local law enforcement; provide

Currently there is no statewide requirement that Georgia schools give first responders a fast way to get inside locked buildings during an emergency. This bill adds a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1187) requiring local school boards and other governing bodies of every public and private elementary and secondary school to install at least one exterior key box at each school building, unless the school already has a documented rapid-access program that gives first-responding officers a similar way in. The key box must meet a specific safety standard (Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037), be placed where local police say it should go, and hold keys or access devices for every building and room on the school grounds. School boards must adopt policies to carry this out. The bill also shields schools, local governments, and their employees from civil lawsuits over the key boxes' installation or use, unless an employee acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.

• Requires local school boards and governing bodies of every public and private K-12 school in Georgia to install at least one exterior key box at each school building.
• Exempts schools that already have a documented rapid-access program giving first-responding law enforcement officers similar emergency access to locked doors.
• Sets a technical standard for the key boxes (Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037) and requires them to hold keys or access devices for every building and room on campus.
• Requires local law enforcement input on where each key box is placed and requires school boards to adopt implementing policies.
• Grants schools, local governments, and their employees immunity from civil lawsuits over key box installation or use, except when an employee acts with gross negligence or bad faith.

Public and private elementary and secondary schools and their governing boards, local school systems, local law enforcement agencies that help choose key box locations, and school and government employees who would gain immunity from certain lawsuits over the key boxes.

If enacted, schools without an existing rapid-access system would have to add a physical way for police to enter locked buildings quickly during emergencies such as an active shooter situation, potentially speeding up response times, while also limiting the schools' legal exposure for using the boxes.

• Adds new Code section 20-2-1187 to Georgia law under the article governing loitering at or disrupting schools.
• Subsection (a) requires an exterior key box meeting UL Standard 1037 unless the school already has a formal rapid-access program for first responders.
• Subsection (b) requires the key box location be chosen for emergency police access and requires it to contain keys or devices for the entire campus.
• Subsection (c) requires school boards to adopt policies and procedures to implement the key box requirement.
• Subsection (d) grants civil immunity to schools, local governments, and agencies for damages from the key boxes, and immunity to their employees unless gross negligence or bad faith is shown.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-19House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-18House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-17House Hopper (House)

• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)Primary sponsor
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)

• school safety
• emergency response
• law enforcement access
• education law
• liability protection