HB 1426: Peace officers; training in evacuation of persons with disabilities during an emergency; provide

Georgia currently has no statewide system specifically designed to help people with disabilities during emergency evacuations. This bill would change that by requiring every peace officer in the state to complete training, starting January 1, 2027, on communicating with, evacuating, and assisting people with disabilities, including respecting service animals. The bill also creates a new article in Georgia's emergency management law setting up a voluntary, confidential emergency disability registry run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), which would build individualized evacuation plans for people who sign up. It requires the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible emergency shelters with features like accessible restrooms, power outlets for medical devices, and space for service animals. It sets rules for emergency transportation providers, creates a coordination task force among several state agencies, grants good-faith immunity to those acting under the law, and notes that the registry and related programs depend on the legislature actually funding them.

• Requires all Georgia peace officers to complete training in evacuating people with disabilities starting January 1, 2027, covering communication, evacuation methods, equipment needs and service animal rights.
• Creates a new voluntary, confidential statewide emergency disability registry run by GEMA that people with disabilities can join to get an individualized evacuation and transportation plan.
• Directs the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible emergency shelters with features like accessible restrooms, medical device power outlets and interpreters.
• Sets procedural requirements for emergency transportation providers to safely move people with disabilities to and from shelters using accessible vehicles and trained personnel.
• Creates a multi-agency task force led by GEMA to coordinate disability evacuation efforts and consult with disability nonprofit organizations.
• Grants legal immunity to people and entities acting in good faith under the new evacuation and registry provisions, and makes the registry's implementation subject to legislative funding.

People with disabilities and their families, peace officers statewide who must complete the new training, GEMA, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Health, local first responders, emergency transportation providers, and operators of emergency shelters.

If enacted, people with disabilities could register for personalized evacuation help, shelters would need accessibility features, and officers statewide would receive mandatory training, potentially reducing risks during emergencies. Because the registry's rollout depends on the General Assembly appropriating money, the practical scope of some provisions may hinge on future funding decisions.

• Section 1 states legislative findings that people with disabilities face unique risks during emergency evacuations and that existing plans may not address their needs.
• Section 2 adds Code Section 35-8-28, requiring peace officers to complete disability evacuation training by January 1, 2027, developed by the training council with GEMA and disability nonprofits.
• Section 3 creates new Code Sections 38-3-200 through 38-3-205, defining terms like 'accessible shelter,' 'disability,' and 'service animal,' and establishing the voluntary emergency disability registry (38-3-201).
• Code Section 38-3-201 makes registry participation voluntary and confidential, limits access to first responders, and makes implementation subject to legislative appropriations.
• Code Section 38-3-202 requires designation of accessible shelters with specific accommodations and bars separating blind or visually impaired people from their service animals during transport or sheltering.
• Code Section 38-3-203 sets procedures for emergency transportation providers, including accessible vehicles and returning evacuees home after the emergency ends.
• Code Section 38-3-204 creates a coordination task force led by GEMA including several state departments and a local first responder representative.
• Code Section 38-3-205 grants immunity from liability for good-faith actions taken under the new article.

1. 2026-02-26House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-25House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)Primary sponsor
• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)
• Akbar Ali (D, HD-106)

• disability rights
• emergency management
• police training
• emergency shelters
• public safety