HB1426: HB1426 Peace officers; training in evacuation of persons with disabilities during an emergency; provide

This bill responds to concerns that people with disabilities face extra barriers during emergency evacuations, such as accessibility problems, communication difficulties, and reliance on specialized equipment. Starting January 1, 2027, all Georgia peace officers would have to complete training covering disability awareness, communication techniques, safe evacuation methods, equipment needs, service animal rights, and cultural competency. The bill also adds a new article to Georgia's emergency management law (O.C.G.A. Title 38, Chapter 3). It creates a voluntary, confidential emergency disability registry run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), lets the Department of Human Services designate accessible emergency shelters, sets rules for emergency transportation providers, and creates a multi-agency task force to coordinate evacuation planning. Registry implementation depends on the General Assembly providing funding, and people or entities acting in good faith under the new rules would be protected from liability.

• Requires all Georgia peace officers, starting January 1, 2027, to complete training in evacuating people with disabilities, covering communication, safe evacuation methods, equipment, and service animal rights.
• Creates a voluntary, confidential state registry of people with disabilities who may need help during an emergency, maintained by GEMA and accessible only to first responders.
• Directs the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible emergency shelters with features like accessible restrooms, power for medical devices, and trained staff.
• Requires emergency transportation providers to use accessible vehicles, trained personnel, and record-keeping to return evacuated people with disabilities home after an emergency.
• Creates a multi-agency task force to coordinate emergency evacuation efforts for people with disabilities, consulting disability nonprofits for guidance.
• Grants legal immunity to people or entities acting in good faith under the new evacuation provisions, and makes the registry's rollout dependent on state funding.

People with disabilities and their families, Georgia peace officers who must complete new training, GEMA, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Health, local first responders, emergency shelters, and emergency transportation providers.

People with disabilities would gain a formal option to register for individualized evacuation help, access shelters built to meet their needs, and rely on transportation providers and officers trained to assist them, potentially reducing risks during disasters, though the registry only launches if lawmakers fund it.

• Section 1 states legislative findings that people with disabilities face unique evacuation challenges not fully addressed by current emergency plans.
• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 35-8-28, requiring peace officer training in disability evacuation starting January 1, 2027, developed with GEMA and disability nonprofits.
• Section 3 creates new Article 13 in O.C.G.A. Title 38, Chapter 3, defining terms like 'accessible shelter,' 'disability,' 'emergency,' and 'service animal.'
• O.C.G.A. § 38-3-201 establishes a voluntary, confidential statewide emergency disability registry with individualized evacuation plans, subject to legislative funding.
• O.C.G.A. § 38-3-202 requires the Department of Human Services and GEMA to designate accessible shelters with specific accommodations, including keeping service animals with their handlers.
• O.C.G.A. § 38-3-203 sets procedures for emergency transportation providers, including safe transport and returning evacuees home after the emergency ends.
• O.C.G.A. § 38-3-204 creates a task force led by GEMA with representatives from multiple state agencies to coordinate disability evacuation planning.
• O.C.G.A. § 38-3-205 grants immunity from liability for good faith actions taken under the new article.

1. 2026-02-26House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-25House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)Primary sponsor
• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)
• Akbar Ali (D, HD-106)

• disability rights
• emergency management
• police training
• emergency shelters
• public safety