SB523: SB523 Education; public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; authorize

Georgia law did not previously spell out a specific state process for handling complaints of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in schools. This bill adds new Code sections across Title 20 to prohibit such discrimination in public elementary and secondary schools, University System of Georgia institutions, and Technical College System of Georgia units. The Department of Education must name a statewide K-12 Title VI Coordinator by September 29, 2026, to run a uniform complaint process, investigate complaints, and refer unresolved problems to federal civil rights authorities. The Board of Regents and the State Board of the Technical College System must adopt similar complaint policies by December 31, 2026. Each oversight body can withhold state funding from schools or institutions that do not fix violations, and schools facing funding cuts can appeal to superior court. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in public K-12 schools, University System of Georgia institutions, and Technical College System units.
• Requires the Department of Education to designate a statewide K-12 Title VI Coordinator by September 29, 2026, to receive, investigate, and track discrimination complaints.
• Requires the Board of Regents and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to create complaint procedures and investigate discrimination complaints by December 31, 2026.
• Allows the state board, Board of Regents, or Technical College System board to withhold state funding from a school or institution that fails to fix a violation within 30 days.
• Lets a public school facing a funding cutoff sue the state board in superior court for relief.
• Requires annual reports on complaints and enforcement to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, House Speaker, and relevant legislative committees.

Students, teachers, and staff in Georgia's K-12 public schools, University System of Georgia colleges, and Technical College System schools; the Department of Education; the Board of Regents; the State Board of the Technical College System; and local school systems that could face funding penalties for noncompliance.

Georgians in public schools and colleges would gain a formal, state-run channel for reporting discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion, with a named coordinator tracking complaints. Schools and colleges that ignore violations risk losing state funding, giving the new rules financial teeth.

• Section 1 creates O.C.G.A. § 20-1-13, banning discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in any public school or Georgia state school receiving federal or state funds, while preserving First Amendment and state constitutional rights.
• Section 2 creates O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.10, requiring the Department of Education to name a K-12 Title VI Coordinator by September 29, 2026, to build a complaint system, investigate violations, and refer unresolved cases to federal civil rights agencies after 30 days.
• Section 2 also lets the state board withhold state funding from noncompliant public schools, with a right for schools to sue in superior court over funding decisions.
• Section 3 creates O.C.G.A. § 20-3-40.1, directing the Board of Regents to have all University System institutions adopt complaint procedures by December 31, 2026, and authorizes withholding state funding for noncompliance.
• Section 4 creates O.C.G.A. § 20-4-39.1, applying the same complaint procedures, investigation duties, and funding withholding authority to the Technical College System of Georgia.
• Section 5 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without his signature.
• Section 6 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-05Effective Date 2026-05-05
2. 2026-05-05Act 402
3. 2026-05-05Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-03-25Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2026-03-18House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-03-18House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-03-12House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)Primary sponsor
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)

1. FailedSenate voteMarch 4, 2026

   22 yea, 31 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 35th: Senate Vote #619

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2026

   50 yea, 2 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #620

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2026

   165 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 10 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #716

4. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2026

   46 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 5 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #820

• school discrimination policy
• Title VI complaints
• higher education civil rights
• K-12 education law
• state funding enforcement