SB454: SB454 Regulation of Fire and Other Hazards; use of temporary door locking devices in public buildings during certain emergency situations; authorize

Current Georgia fire safety law does not specifically address temporary devices that lock doors from the inside during an emergency. This bill adds a new section to the fire safety code (O.C.G.A. Chapter 2 of Title 25) allowing 'temporary door locking devices' in public buildings such as schools, government offices, religious facilities, medical facilities, and businesses. The devices must meet specific safety requirements: they cannot use a key to lock from inside, cannot alter door closers or panic hardware, cannot be permanently mounted, and must not affect a door's fire rating. They can only be used during active threat situations or drills, must be mounted no higher than 48 inches, and devices used on fire exits need prior approval from a fire department or marshal. The bill separately allows public and private K-12 schools to install exterior key boxes meeting Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037, giving local law enforcement emergency access to buildings. School boards and governments get civil immunity for damages from these key boxes, and their employees get immunity unless they acted with gross negligence or bad faith.

• Adds a new Georgia fire safety code section allowing temporary door locking devices in public buildings during active threat situations or drills.
• Sets technical safety standards the devices must meet, including no permanent mounting, no interference with fire ratings, and a maximum installation height of 48 inches.
• Requires fire exit locking devices to get prior approval from a local fire department, fire marshal, or law enforcement agency.
• Directs the state Fire Safety Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to implement the new law.
• Authorizes public and private K-12 schools to install exterior key boxes for law enforcement emergency access, meeting a specific safety standard.
• Grants civil immunity to school boards, schools, local governments, and their employees for damages tied to installing or using the key boxes, absent gross negligence or bad faith.

Public and private K-12 schools, local boards of education, government buildings, religious organizations, medical facilities, child care centers, colleges, and other public buildings; also local fire departments, fire marshals, and law enforcement agencies who approve or use these devices and key boxes.

Schools and other public buildings would gain a legally authorized tool to quickly lock doors during shootings or other active threats, while fire officials retain oversight over fire exit locking to preserve evacuation safety. Key boxes would give police faster building access during emergencies, and immunity provisions shield schools and governments from related lawsuits.

• Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 25-2-37.1, defining 'public building' broadly to include government, religious, medical, educational, and private business structures.
• Section 1 defines a 'temporary door locking device' with five technical requirements, including that it cannot modify door closers or panic hardware and cannot affect fire ratings.
• Section 1 limits use of the devices to active threat situations or drills, requires installation at or below 48 inches, and requires integration into safety plans and staff training.
• Section 1 requires fire department, fire marshal, or law enforcement approval before using such devices on fire exits, hallways, or corridors leading to fire exits.
• Section 1 directs the Commissioner to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1187, authorizing local school boards and private school governing bodies to install at least one exterior key box meeting Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037.
• Section 2 requires key boxes to be placed for law enforcement emergency access and to contain keys or access devices for the entire school grounds.
• Section 2 grants civil immunity to schools, school systems, local governments, and employees for damages from key box installation and use, except for employee gross negligence or bad faith.

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 safety regulations
• active shooter response
• public building security
• school security key boxes