HB1239: HB1239 Student Civic Participation and Encouragement Act; enact

26 LC 61 0366 House Bill 1239 By: Representatives Berry of the 56 th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Ali of the 106 th, Clark of the 108th, and Lupton of the 83rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of1 Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance relative to elementary and secondary2 school students, so as to require the local governing body for each school system and public3 school to adopt a policy providing that students shall be granted not less than two excused4 absences per school year for attending or participating in a civic or political event; to require5 the State Board of Education to develop a model policy; to provide a definition; to provide6 a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters;7 to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Student Civic Participation and11 Encouragement Act."12 H. B. 1239 - 1 - 26 LC 61 0366 SECTION 2.13 Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of t he Official Code of Georgia14 Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance relative to elementary and secondary school15 students, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:16 "20-2-692.5.17 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'civic or political event' means a strike, public18 comment, candidate speech, political or civil forum, town hall, protest, or similar event.19 (b) The local governing body of each local school system and public school shall adopt a20 policy providing that a student shall be granted not less than two excused absences per21 school year for attending or participating in a civic or politi cal event. Such policy shall22 provide for:23 (1) Notification by the parent or guardian of a student, or the student if he or she is 1824 years of age or older or is an emancipated minor, to the local school system or public25 school that such student will be absent due to attendance at or participation in a civic or26 political event, which shall be provided not less than one school day prior to the absence;27 and28 (2) Documentation of absences excused in accordance with this Code section.29 (c) The State Board of Education shall develop a model policy for use by local school30 systems and public schools in accordance with this Code section."31 SECTION 3.32 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall appl y beginning with the33 2026-2027 school year.34 SECTION 4.35 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.36 H. B. 1239 - 2 -