summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the establishment of and purpose for the Vape-Free Schools Grant Program; to provide for the allocation of grant awards under such program; to provide for grant award criteria, terms, and conditions; to require the State Board of Education to develop a model policy on student vaping awareness and prevention; to require the Department of Education to create a list of approved vaping detectors, develop guidance and resources to facilitate partnerships for student rehabilitative services relative to vaping; to require public schools with grades nine through 12 to acquire and install vaping detectors and include vaping policy provisions in the student code of conduct; to provide for grant application form, procedures, and requirements; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for construction; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for definitions; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Vape-Free Schools Act," aims to combat student vaping by establishing the Vape-Free Schools Grant Program, which will provide funding to public high schools (grades nine through 12) to purchase and install vaping detectors. Vaping detectors are defined as devices that can silently alert school staff in real-time when vaping occurs. The State Board of Education will create a model policy for vaping awareness and prevention, and the Department of Education will develop a list of approved vaping detectors and resources to help schools partner with organizations offering rehabilitative services for students who vape. By the 2027-2028 school year, all public high schools must install these approved detectors in areas like bathrooms and locker rooms and incorporate a comprehensive vaping policy into their student codes of conduct, which will include consequences for violations and procedures for reporting and investigating incidents. The bill also mandates annual reporting on vaping alerts and the effectiveness of prevention measures. The grant program and related provisions are contingent on specific funding being appropriated by the General Assembly and will be repealed if no funding is available by a certain date.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (6)
Imani Barnes (D)*,
Bryce Berry (D)*,
Omari Crawford (D)*,
El-Mahdi Holly (D)*,
Anissa Jones (D)*,
Mekyah McQueen (D)*,
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 01/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72262 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/239935 |
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