School Safety Law – HB 268
Georgia House Bill 268: What Parents, Schools, and Communities Need to Know
On July 1, 2025, Georgia’s House Bill 268 – the Comprehensive School Safety & Student Well-being Act became law. This is one of the broadest school safety and student support laws in the nation. It affects nearly every part of school life — from security to behavioral health, student records, attendance rules, and discipline.
To support schools in meeting these new requirements, the FY2026 state budget provides funding, including $61,000 per school for safety upgrades, $20 million statewide for student behavioral health, and $7 million to help districts hire student advocacy specialists.
What HB 268 Does
Safety systems – Schools must install panic alert systems, create detailed school maps, and launch anonymous reporting tools tied to 911 and police. Funding: $61,000 per school in security grants.
School climate – Schools with low climate ratings (1–2 stars) must implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) programs to improve discipline and learning environments.
Student supports – Middle and high schools must provide suicide and violence prevention training and create student-led prevention clubs. Funding: $20 million for student behavioral health, plus $7 million for new student advocacy specialists.
Record sharing – Parents must disclose serious discipline or criminal history when enrolling students in grades 4–12, and schools must transfer and share these records promptly with teachers.
Attendance rules – If a child misses 30 consecutive days without notice, schools must alert child welfare agencies and may request law enforcement wellness checks.
Criminal penalties – Students as young as 13 can face felony charges for terroristic threats or acts at school, on buses, or at school events.
Need Help?
If you are a parent, educator, or advocate navigating HB 268 and its impact, contact Georgia Appleseed. We can help with questions about enrollment, special education, discipline, and more.
