HB1023: HB1023 Education; utilize weapon detection systems in certain school buildings; require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies

Currently, Georgia law does not require public schools to use weapon detection systems. This bill adds a new section to the part of Georgia law dealing with loitering at or disrupting schools (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1187) to change that. Under the bill, every local board of education and other public school governing body would have to implement a weapon detection system and adopt policies and procedures to detect weapons and help prevent people from unlawfully carrying them into permanent school buildings while students are present. At minimum, these security measures must be used at all main entry points listed in a school's required safety plan, though doors that stay locked, have alarms, and are not for routine student use are exempt. Schools could use grants or other funding to pay for the systems. The law would take effect January 1, 2028.

• Requires local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to implement a weapon detection system in permanent school buildings where students are routinely present.
• Requires these bodies to adopt policies, rules, regulations, and procedures to detect weapons using electronic, analytical, visual, olfactory, or other means.
• Mandates that security measures be used at all main points of entry identified in a school's required safety plan (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185).
• Exempts entry or exit points that stay routinely locked, have an alarm, and are not for routine student use (or are for emergency use only).
• Allows schools to use available grants and other funding sources to pay for the required weapon detection systems.
• Sets the law's effective date as January 1, 2028.

Local boards of education and other public school governing bodies, which must adopt and fund the new security measures; students, teachers, and staff who will pass through weapon detection systems at school entrances; and organizations providing school safety grants.

Public schools would be legally required to screen for weapons at main entrances rather than doing so voluntarily, changing daily arrival routines for students and staff. School districts would need to find funding, potentially through grants, to buy and maintain the required detection equipment.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 20-2-1187, defining 'weapon' by reference to O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1.
• Section 1 requires school governing bodies to implement weapon detection systems and related policies to detect and prevent unlawful possession of weapons in permanent school buildings.
• Section 1 requires that security measures apply at minimum to all main points of entry listed in school safety plans under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185.
• Section 1 exempts entry/exit points that are routinely locked, alarmed, and not for routine student use from the detection requirement.
• Section 1 authorizes use of grants and other funding to meet the new requirements.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as January 1, 2028.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-02-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-24House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
6. 2026-02-24House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-02-06House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
8. 2026-01-29House Second Readers (House)

• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)Primary sponsor
• Jon Burns (R, HD-159)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• James Hatchett (R, HD-155)
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 24, 2026

   151 yea, 11 nay (5 not voting, 10 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #546

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• school safety
• weapon detection
• public schools
• school security funding