HR 208: General Assembly; prohibit use of racially derogatory or discriminatory school mascots, logos, or team names in Georgia public schools

This resolution does not change any law on its own. Instead, it expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' position that the General Assembly should pass legislation prohibiting racially derogatory or discriminatory mascots, logos, and team names in the state's public schools, with a particular focus on imagery that singles out Native American communities. The resolution also urges local boards of education, school superintendents, and other public school leaders to voluntarily drop such mascots, logos, and names in their own districts. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to local school boards, superintendents, and other school leaders so they are aware of the House's position.

• Urges (but does not legally require) the Georgia General Assembly to prohibit racially derogatory or discriminatory school mascots, logos, or team names in public schools.
• Urges local boards of education, superintendents, and school leaders to voluntarily stop using such mascots, logos, or team names.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to local school boards, superintendents, and school leaders.
• Does not create any penalty, enforcement mechanism, or actual statutory ban since it is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law.

Georgia's 1.7 million public school students, local boards of education, school superintendents, and other public school leaders who oversee choices about mascots, logos, and team names, particularly at schools that currently use Native American imagery or names.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, no school is required to change anything yet. But it signals House support for a future ban and puts pressure on local school districts to reconsider mascots, logos, or team names that reference Native American communities or other groups.

• The whereas clauses state that over 1.7 million children attend Georgia public schools and that certain mascots single out Native Americans for derision and cultural appropriation.
• The first resolving clause urges the General Assembly itself to prohibit racially derogatory or discriminatory school mascots, logos, or team names statewide.
• The second resolving clause urges local boards of education, superintendents, and school leaders to prohibit such mascots, logos, or team names in their own schools.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to local school boards, superintendents, and school leaders.

1. 2025-02-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-10House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)

• school mascots
• Native American imagery
• public schools
• education policy