Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 451: Peace Officers; training in the evacuation of persons with disabilities during an emergency; provide

Last action February 3, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred

A Georgia Senate bill would require peace officer training on evacuating people with disabilities, create a voluntary state registry of people with disabilities, and set standards for accessible emergency shelters and transportation.

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In plain language

Georgia currently has no statewide system specifically addressing how emergency responders assist people with disabilities during evacuations. This bill would require all peace officers to complete training, starting January 1, 2027, on communicating with, evacuating, and equipping for people with disabilities, including service animal rights and cultural competency. The bill also creates a new article in Georgia's emergency management law establishing a voluntary, confidential emergency disability registry run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), where people can list their needs and get an individualized evacuation plan. It requires the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible shelters with features like accessible restrooms, power for medical devices, and service animal accommodations. It sets rules for emergency transportation providers, creates a coordination task force among state agencies, and grants good-faith immunity to those acting under the law. Implementation of the registry provisions depends on future state funding.

What the bill does

Requires all Georgia peace officers to complete training in evacuating people with disabilities starting January 1, 2027, covering communication, safe evacuation methods, equipment, and service animal rights.
Creates a voluntary, confidential statewide emergency disability registry maintained by GEMA that people with disabilities can join or leave at any time.
Requires the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible emergency shelters with features like accessible restrooms, medical device power outlets, and trained personnel.
Sets requirements for emergency transportation providers to safely transport people with disabilities and use accessible, staffed vehicles.
Creates a multi-agency task force led by GEMA to coordinate emergency evacuation efforts for people with disabilities.
Grants legal immunity to people and entities acting in good faith under the new law, and makes the registry provisions dependent on state funding.

Who it affects

Peace officers statewide, who must complete new training; people with disabilities and their emergency contacts, who may join the voluntary registry; GEMA, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Health; and emergency transportation providers and shelter operators.

Why it matters

People with disabilities often face extra barriers during emergencies, such as communication difficulties or reliance on equipment or service animals. This bill aims to give first responders specific training and create a registry and shelter standards so evacuation planning accounts for those needs, though the registry depends on future state funding.

Key provisions

Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 35-8-28, requiring all 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 O.C.G.A. § 38-3-200 defining terms like 'accessible shelter,' 'disability,' 'emergency,' and 'service animal' for the new article.
O.C.G.A. § 38-3-201 establishes a voluntary, confidential emergency disability registry accessible only to first responders, including personalized evacuation plans.
O.C.G.A. § 38-3-202 requires designation of accessible shelters with specific features and bars separating blind or visually impaired people from their service animals during transport or sheltering.
O.C.G.A. § 38-3-203 requires emergency transportation providers to use accessible vehicles, trained personnel, and maintain records to return evacuees home.
O.C.G.A. § 38-3-204 creates a state task force led by GEMA, including representatives from human services, transportation, and public health agencies, to coordinate evacuation efforts.
O.C.G.A. § 38-3-205 grants immunity from liability for good-faith actions taken under the new article.
Registry implementation under § 38-3-201(h) is explicitly made subject to future appropriations from the General Assembly.

From the bill

“No person who is blind or visually impaired shall be separated from his or her service animal during transport to and from an accessible shelter or during the time spent in any such shelter.”
This provision guarantees that blind or visually impaired evacuees stay with their service animals.

“All information contained in the registry shall be confidential and accessible only to first responders.”
This sets a confidentiality rule limiting who can view the new disability registry.

“No person or entity shall be liable for any actions taken in good faith under this article.”
This grants legal immunity for good-faith actions taken to help people with disabilities during emergencies.

Status timeline

2026-02-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2026-02-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

disability rights
emergency management
peace officer training
emergency shelters
public safety

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