Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1327: Education; install key boxes at each school building in locations determined in collaboration with local law enforcement; provide
Last action March 3, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
A Georgia House bill would require every public and private K-12 school to install a key box giving local law enforcement quick access to campus buildings during emergencies, unless the school already has an equivalent rapid-access program.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
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.
What the bill does
- 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.
Who it affects
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.
Why it matters
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.
Key provisions
- 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.
From the bill
“the local board of education or other governing body of each public and private elementary and secondary school in this state shall provide for the installation at each school of at least one exterior key box that meets or exceeds Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037”
“Employees of local boards of education, other public and private school governing bodies, local school systems, other public and private schools, and local governments and agencies shall be immune from civil liability for any damages arising out of the installation and use of key boxes”
Discussed in meetings (6)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Education Committee, March 2, 2026
From 0:53:03 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute addressing emergency-access lock boxes at school buildings. The sponsor said the revision would let school systems retain access arrangements already in place, including electronic systems, while requiring lock boxes where such arrangements had not been implemented. The sponsor said boxes could contain keys or key fobs, and placement would be worked out by school boards, school security personnel, and law enforcement. One member welcomed the accommodation for an existing local program and asked whether the specified Underwriters Laboratories standard limited purchases to one supplier. The sponsor said the standard concerned box construction and that multiple suppliers could meet it. The chair said the intent was not to specify a vendor. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote.
House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026
From 0:50:16 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1327 would require schools without an existing access safety program to install lockboxes containing keys or key fobs. The sponsor said schools with electronic keypad access would not need the boxes. No questions or decision followed.
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, March 11, 2026
From 0:28:33 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair introduced language from this bill as an amendment to SB 454. The chair said it would ensure first responders could enter locked school buildings during emergencies through key boxes or existing access systems. The bill's sponsor said schools with keypads or electronic-door arrangements would not have to replace them, and police would help determine where boxes should go. The sponsor said first responders supported the proposal because some schools lacked emergency access. A committee member asked about an exception to liability protections for gross negligence or bad faith. The sponsor gave examples of an employee improperly sharing an access code or key, and the chair said someone who enabled an attacker to enter should face liability. The committee adopted the language as an amendment and then approved SB 454 as amended. This bill was not separately voted on.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Jason Ridley (R, HD-6)
- Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
- James Burchett (R, HD-176)
- Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
- Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
Topics
- school safety
- emergency response
- law enforcement access
- education law
- liability protection