24 HB 282/SCSFA
ADOPTED SENATE
SENATE SUBSTITUTE TO HB 282
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for improved curriculum, programs,2
and activities related to civic education, English as a Second Language, and career readiness;3
to provide for a definition; to prioritize the use of school facilities to certain youth groups;4
to provide for a civic education coursework; to provide a minimum course of study in career5
readiness education; to provide for legislative findings; to direct the Department of Education6
to develop, assemble, and make available instructional resources and materials concerning7
employability and career readiness skills, career exploration, and career oriented learning8
experiences; to provide for community outreach efforts regarding English for speakers of9
other languages (ESOL) programs; to provide for standards for foreign language interpreters;10
to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for instructional materials and content on11
civic education in digital or electronic format; to provide for the payment of the costs of12
health insurance coverage for family members of local board of education members; to13
amend Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating14
to the "Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act," so as to revise provisions for expedited15
completion of a student's first Individualized Education Program; to provide for calculating16
maximum scholarship amounts for certain students; to provide for electronic deposits; to17
amend Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state18
printing and documents, so as to add an exception for the Department of Early Care and19
- 1 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
Learning to the prohibition on collecting certain personal information; to require local20
education agencies to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting disparate21
emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple state and22
local first responder agencies in the event of a school security emergency; to provide for23
exceptions; to require the Department of Administrative Services to conduct market research24
and possibly issue a competitive solicitation for multiple vendors to provide for such25
systems; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;26
and for other purposes.27
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:28
SECTION 1.29
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and30
secondary education, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-12, which is reserved, as31
follows:32
"20-2-12.33
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'patriotic society' means a youth group listed in34
Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society, including the Boy Scouts of35
America and its affiliated Georgia groups and councils and the Girl Scouts of the United36
States of America and its affiliated Georgia groups and councils.37
(b) Every local board of education that uses state funds to implement programs under this38
chapter shall give priority in the use of school facilities to a patriotic society in order to39
encourage schools to facilitate access for students to participate in activities provided by40
a patriotic society at times other than instructional time during the school day for the41
purposes of encouraging civic education. If a local board of education denies priority42
access to a patriotic society, such local board shall provide reasons for the denial in writing43
to a requesting entity. Reserved."44
- 2 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
SECTION 2.45
Code Section 20-2-55 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to per diem,46
insurance, and expenses of local board members, is amended by revising paragraph (1) of47
subsection (b) as follows:48
"(b)(1) A local board of education is authorized to provide group medical and dental49
insurance for its members who elect to participate. Such insurance may be provided50
through a group policy secured by the local school district, a group policy secured by51
several local school districts, a policy secured by an organization of local school boards,52
or in accordance with Code Section 45-18-5 providing for the inclusion of members of53
the local board of education and their spouses and dependents within any health insurance54
plan or plans established under Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45. It shall be the duty55
of the board to make the employer contributions required for the operation of such plan56
or plans. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a board providing such57
insurance shall pay no greater percentage of the cost of that insurance than the percentage58
of the cost paid as an employer contribution by the state for the health insurance plan for59
state employees pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45. The remainder of such60
insurance costs, and all the costs of any coverage for family members, shall be paid as an61
employee contribution by the board member. It shall be the duty of the board to deduct62
from the salary or other remuneration of qualified members or otherwise collect such63
payment from the qualified members or dependents."64
SECTION 3.65
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-142.1, relating to coursework in the66
founding philosophy and principles of the United States of America, by revising67
subparagraph (c)(2)(G) as follows:68
- 3 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
"(G) The principles of economy in spending, constitutional limitations on government69
power to tax and spend, and prompt payment of public debt, and an interactive taxpayer70
receipt web-based application and a budget simulator web-based application;" 71
SECTION 4.72
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 20-2-145.1, relating to career73
education, as follows:74
"20-2-145.1.75
(a) The General Assembly finds that students will be better prepared to enter the workforce76
and succeed in their chosen careers by having the opportunity to participate in classroom77
instruction and training experiences focused on employability and career readiness skills,78
including, but not limited to, professionalism; problem solving and resiliency; effective79
communication; time management and efficiency; and collaboration, teamwork, and80
leadership competencies in the workplace.81
(b)(1) The State Board of Education shall prescribe a minimum course of study in career82
readiness education for students in grades six through 12. Such minimum course of study83
shall be age appropriate and shall include, but not be limited to, instruction and training84
experiences focused on employability and career readiness skills, career exploration, and85
career oriented learning experiences. Instruction and training experiences focused on86
employability and career readiness skills shall include those skills described in87
subsection (a) of this Code section. Career oriented learning experiences shall include,88
but not be limited to, participation in work based learning programs such as internships,89
apprenticeships, cooperative education, or employability skill development. The State90
Board of Education shall ensure that career oriented learning experiences include91
rigorous industry credentialing, as defined in Code Section 20-2-326, if such rigorous92
industry credentialing has been created or endorsed by Georgia employers.93
- 4 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
(2) Subject to specific appropriations by the General Assembly, the Department of94
Education is directed to assemble and develop instructional resources and materials95
concerning employability and career readiness skills, career exploration, and career96
oriented learning experiences. The Department of Education shall make such97
instructional resources and materials available to public schools and local school systems98
in this state.99
(3) The minimum course of study to be prescribed by the State Board of Education100
pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be ready for implementation not later101
than July 1, 2024."102
SECTION 5.103
Said chapter is further amended in Part 3, relating to educational programs, by revising Code104
Section 20-2-156, relating to program for limited-English-proficient students, as follows:105
"20-2-156.106
(a) The State Board of Education shall create a program for limited-English-proficient107
students whose native language is not English, subject to appropriation by the General108
Assembly. The purpose of this program is to assist such students to develop proficiency109
in the English language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, sufficient to110
perform effectively at the currently assigned grade level. The state board shall prescribe111
such rules and regulations regarding eligibility criteria and standards as may be needed to112
carry out the provisions of this Code section. The state board shall also prescribe rules and113
regulations regarding community outreach efforts by local school systems to ensure that114
limited-English-proficient students and their parents and guardians are provided115
information regarding the program. This program may also be referred to as the English116
for speakers of other languages (ESOL) program.117
- 5 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
(b) The State Board of Education shall establish standards for foreign language interpreters118
working with students in educational settings. Such standards shall include, but shall not119
be limited to:120
(1) Demonstrated proficiency in English and the target language in listening, speaking,121
and reading domains; and122
(2) Familiarity with legal concepts related to and service requirements of Part B of the123
federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the federal124
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as standards for the use of remote interpreter services,125
including, but not limited to, the conditions under which remote interpreter services may126
be used to provide high-quality interpreter services.127
(c) Each local school system shall provide:128
(1) Information concerning the availability of interpretation services at IEP team129
meetings;130
(2) An explanation of how parents can request an interpreter;131
(3) Notice that a parent has the right to request that the interpreter serve no other role in132
the IEP meeting than as an interpreter, and that the district should make reasonable efforts133
to fulfill this request;134
(4) A point of contact to address any questions or complaints about interpretation135
services; and136
(5) For each IEP meeting, the following information on the recorded minutes of such137
meeting:138
(A) Whether a parent requested an interpreter, had previously requested interpretation139
services, or had otherwise indicated that an interpreter was necessary to ensure140
meaningful parental involvement in the IEP meeting;141
(B) The language for interpretation;142
- 6 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
(C) Whether a parent provided an interpreter of his her own choosing or a qualified143
in-person interpreter, a digital language service tool, or a language accessibility phone144
line was provided; and145
(D) Whether a parent requested that the interpreter serve no other role in the IEP146
meeting and, if so, whether the district granted that request.147
(d) Each local school system shall engage in community outreach efforts directed toward148
limited-English-proficient students and their parents and guardians. Such efforts shall149
comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by the State Board of Education pursuant150
to subsection (a) of this Code section."151
SECTION 6.152
Said chapter is further amended in Article 11, relating to public school property and facilities,153
by adding a new part to read as follows:154
"Part 4155
20-2-590.156
(a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as 'Alyssa's Law.'157
(b)(1) Not later than July 1, 2026, each local education agency, as that term is defined158
in Code Section 20-2-167.1, shall implement a mobile panic alert system capable of159
connecting disparate emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination160
between local and state law enforcement and first responder agencies. Such system shall161
be known as the 'Alyssa's Alert' and shall integrate with existing technology found in162
each local public safety answering point infrastructure to transmit 9-1-1 calls and mobile163
activations.164
(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, each local165
education agency may implement additional strategies or systems to ensure real-time166
- 7 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
coordination between multiple first responder agencies in the event of a school security167
emergency.168
(3) A local education agency shall not be required to procure or implement new or169
additional capabilities if, as of July 1, 2025, such local education agency has already170
implemented a mobile panic alert system with capabilities which meet the requirements171
of paragraph (1) of this subsection.172
(c) Not later than December 1, 2025, the Department of Administrative Services shall173
conduct market research in consultation with the State School Superintendent and the174
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to identify whether an175
existing competitive source of supply is available for a system that satisfies the176
requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section from multiple vendors177
for use by local education agencies. If no existing source of supply exists, the Department178
of Administrative Services shall issue a competitive solicitation for such source of supply179
no later than January 1, 2026."180
SECTION 7.181
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-1015, relating to instructional182
materials and content in digital or electronic format and funding, by adding new subsections183
to read as follows:184
"(c) Subject to specific appropriations by the General Assembly, starting July 1, 2025, the185
State Board of Education shall annually provide for free to local boards of education a186
web-based application for a taxpayer receipt and budget simulator as provided for in Code187
Section 20-2-142.1, provided that:188
(1) The taxpayer receipt shall:189
- 8 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
(A) Allow a user to estimate the individual amount of major tax categories, including,190
but not limited to, income, sales, alcohol, tobacco, and motor vehicle fuel tax;191
(B) Estimate how the taxes an individual pays are allocated to each major expenditure192
category; and193
(C) Estimate the income and sales taxes paid by the individual based on their income194
and age; and195
(2) The budget simulator shall:196
(A) Produce an estimated state budget based on variables entered by the user; such197
variables shall include adjustments in major expenditure categories, adjustments in198
major tax revenue categories, implementation of various policy options, and the year199
of the budget estimate; and200
(B) Provide visual feedback on the effects of the user adjustments.201
(d) The Department of Education shall:202
(1) House the application provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section on its public203
website;204
(2) Work with the Office of Planning and Budget to obtain the proper budget information205
to be used in the application provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section; and206
(3) Coordinate with the Georgia Technology Authority and the Department of207
Administrative Services to implement the requirements of this Code section and to208
develop competitive bidding requirements in accordance with and as permitted by209
Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50."210
Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the211
"Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act," is amended by revising subsections (a) and (f) of212
Code Section 20-2-2116, relating to amount of scholarship and method of payments, as213
follows:214
- 9 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
"(a) The maximum scholarship granted a scholarship student pursuant to this article shall215
be an amount equivalent to the costs of the educational program that would have been216
provided for the student in the resident school system as calculated under Code217
Section 20-2-161 and, if a scholarship student has an Individualized Education218
Program (IEP), based upon services specified in the Individualized Education Program in219
place at the time of the most recent enrollment count, as described in Code220
Section 20-2-160.; provided, however, that in the case of a student whose first Individual221
Education Program was expedited as provided for in subparagraph (a)(3)(A) of Code222
Section 20-2-2114 but was not in effect at the time of the most recent enrollment count, the223
initial calculation of the maximum scholarship amount shall be based upon services224
specified in the Individualized Education Program in place at the time such Individualized225
Education Program takes effect. Such initial calculation shall be revised based upon226
services specified in the Individualized Education Program in place at the time of the next227
enrollment count. This shall not include any federal funds."228
"(f) Payment to the parents must shall be made by individual warrant made payable to the229
student's parent. The department shall electronically deposit payments that have been230
restrictively endorsed by parents into the account of such school; provided, however, that231
in the event an electronic deposit cannot be made, such payment may be and mailed by the232
department to the participating school of the parent's choice, and the parent shall233
restrictively endorse the warrant to the participating school for deposit into the account of234
such school."235
SECTION 8.236
Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state printing237
and documents, is amended in Code Section 50-18-160 by deleting "and" at the end of238
subparagraph (d)(12)(C), replacing the period at the end of subparagraph (d)(12)(D) with239
"; and", and adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:240
- 10 - 24 HB 282/SCSFA
"(E) By the Department of Early Care and Learning for purposes authorized in Chapter241
1A of Title 20."242
SECTION 9.243
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 244
- 11 -