HR 1795: Local school systems; adopt policies that encourage student civic and political participation; urge

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It expresses the opinion of the House of Representatives that local school systems should adopt policies supporting student civic and political participation. The resolution's preamble states that students should be able to exercise free speech without punishment from their school system, and that encouraging civic engagement could benefit students' education and their communities. The resolution specifically urges school systems to grant excused absences to students who attend or participate in civic or political events. It does not require any school system to act, since a resolution has no binding legal effect. The final section directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Urges, but does not require, local school systems in Georgia to adopt policies encouraging student civic and political participation.
• States the House's position that students should be able to exercise free speech without punishment from their school system.
• Urges local school systems to grant excused absences to students who attend or participate in civic or political events.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

Local school systems and their boards, students in Georgia's K-12 public schools who may want to attend civic or political events, and school administrators who set attendance and free speech policies.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill that changes the Georgia Code, it carries no legal force. Its practical effect is limited to encouraging local school boards to consider excused absence policies and student free speech protections on their own.

• The whereas clauses state the House's reasoning: support for student free speech without punishment and support for excused absences for civic or political events.
• The first resolving clause urges local school systems to adopt policies encouraging student civic and political participation.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2026-03-23House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-20House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-19House Hopper (House)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Primary sponsor
• Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)
• Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
• Akbar Ali (D, HD-106)

• student civic engagement
• school attendance policy
• student free speech
• local school boards