SB 454: Regulation of Fire and Other Hazards; use of temporary door locking devices in public buildings during certain emergency situations; authorize

Georgia law does not currently address temporary door locking devices used during active shooter situations or lockdowns, or set standards for emergency key boxes at schools. This bill fills that gap. It adds a new section to the fire safety code (O.C.G.A. § 25-2-37.1) allowing public buildings, including government buildings, religious organizations, medical facilities, child care centers, and schools, to use temporary devices that lock doors from the inside during emergencies or drills, with safety requirements such as a 48-inch maximum installation height and no permanent modification to fire exit hardware. The bill also adds a section to the school loitering law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1187) letting local school boards or private school governing bodies install exterior key boxes so local police can quickly access buildings in an emergency. Schools, school systems, and their employees are shielded from civil lawsuits over installing or using these key boxes unless an employee acted with gross negligence or bad faith.

• Creates a new Georgia Code section (25-2-37.1) authorizing temporary door locking devices in public buildings during active threat situations or lockdown drills.
• Sets technical safety standards for these devices, including a 48-inch maximum mounting height and a rule against modifying fire exit hardware or affecting a door's fire rating.
• Requires devices used on fire exits or hallways leading to fire exits to get prior approval from a local fire department, fire marshal, or law enforcement agency.
• Directs the state Fire Safety Commissioner to write rules and regulations to implement the new law.
• Authorizes public and private K-12 school governing bodies to install UL-certified exterior key boxes so police can get emergency building access.
• Grants schools, school systems, local governments, and their employees immunity from civil lawsuits over key box installation and use, unless an employee acted with gross negligence or bad faith.

Public buildings generally, including government offices, religious organizations, medical facilities, child care centers, colleges, and schools; building owners and staff who must integrate the devices into safety plans; local fire departments, fire marshals, and police agencies; and public and private K-12 school boards, school employees, and local governments covered by the new liability immunity.

Buildings would gain a legal, standardized way to quickly lock doors during an active threat without violating fire codes, and schools could give police a faster way into buildings during emergencies. The liability shield could also make schools and local governments harder to sue over injuries connected to these devices.

• Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 25-2-37.1, defining 'public building' broadly and defining 'temporary door locking device' with technical requirements (single-operation removal, no key needed from inside, no permanent door modification).
• Subsection (b) limits use of these devices to active threat situations or drills, requires installation no higher than 48 inches, and requires the devices be built into safety plans and staff training.
• Subsection (c) requires devices used on fire exits or exit routes to be approved in advance by fire or law enforcement officials.
• Subsection (d) directs the Commissioner to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1187, letting K-12 school governing bodies install at least one exterior key box meeting Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037.
• Subsection (b) requires the key box location to allow police emergency access and to contain keys or access devices for the entire school grounds.
• Subsection (d) grants civil immunity to schools, school systems, local governments, and their employees over key box installation and use, except for employee gross negligence or bad faith.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-04-02House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-03-27House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2026-03-12House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2026-03-10House Second Readers (House)
5. 2026-03-09House First Readers (House)
6. 2026-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
7. 2026-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-03-06Senate Taken from Table (Senate)

• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   51 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #661

• school safety
• fire code
• building security
• active shooter response
• liability immunity