Bill > HB1051

This bill, known as the Lanier Johnson-Hunt Student Protection Act, mandates that local school systems in Georgia that employ or assign law enforcement officers must establish formal written agreements with law enforcement agencies. These agreements, which must be in place by October 1, 2025, will outline how school disciplinary matters are handled, ensuring coordination between school staff and law enforcement, and will also detail how student information is shared with law enforcement, clarifying when officers can access student records and whether they are considered "school officials" under federal privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Crucially, by October 1, 2026, these agreements will prohibit law enforcement officers from intervening in school disciplinary issues unless the situation involves suspected criminal activity or an immediate safety threat. Furthermore, by the same date, local school boards must implement policies for students to file complaints against law enforcement officers, with procedures similar to those for complaints against teachers or administrators, and substantiated complaints involving excessive force or misconduct will be reported to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for investigation. The bill also requires the Department of Education to provide model language for these agreements on its website by August 1, 2026.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72388