HB 1271: Education; revise definition of education record to correct a cross-reference; provisions

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-720) gives parents and legal custodians the right to inspect their child's school education records. That law defines 'education records' by pointing to another section of the code, but the pointer was wrong, it referenced Code Section 20-2-662 instead of the correct section. This bill fixes that cross-reference so the definition points to Code Section 20-2-670 instead. The bill also updates subsection (b), which spells out where parents' inspection rights come from. Previously it only pointed to Code Section 20-2-667. The bill adds Code Section 20-2-670 as an additional source of that right, meaning local boards of education cannot have policies that deny or effectively block inspection rights based on either section. The change would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Corrects a cross-reference in the definition of 'education records' in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-720, changing the citation from Code Section 20-2-662 to Code Section 20-2-670.
• Adds Code Section 20-2-670 as a second legal basis, alongside Code Section 20-2-667, for parents' and legal custodians' right to inspect student education records.
• Prohibits local boards of education from having policies that deny or effectively prevent inspection rights recognized under either referenced section.
• Sets the effective date as the moment the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without his signature.

Parents and legal custodians of students in Georgia's public schools, including the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Division of Family and Children Services when they act as legal custodians, as well as local boards of education that must comply with the corrected inspection rules.

The fix ensures the law's definition of 'education record' points to the correct statute, avoiding confusion about which records parents and legal custodians can inspect. Expanding the cited sections also broadens the specific legal basis local boards must honor when parents request to review their child's records.

• Section 1 revises subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-720 so 'education records' is defined by reference to Code Section 20-2-670 instead of the incorrect Code Section 20-2-662.
• Section 1 also revises subsection (b) to add Code Section 20-2-670 alongside Code Section 20-2-667 as a basis for parents' and legal custodians' inspection rights.
• Section 2 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without his signature.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-12House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2026-02-11House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-02-10House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)Patrocinador principal
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
• Will Wade (R, HD-009)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)

• student records
• parental rights
• education law
• school policy