Bill > HB1363

This bill expands protections against discrimination in Georgia's public education system by requiring public schools, the University System of Georgia, and the Technical College System of Georgia to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion. For K-12 public schools, the Department of Education will establish a statewide coordinator to handle and investigate discrimination complaints, with the possibility of withholding funds for noncompliance. For postsecondary institutions, the Board of Regents and the State Board of the Technical College System will be responsible for creating and implementing policies and procedures to address such complaints, also with the authority to withhold funding for noncompliance. The bill also mandates annual reporting on these matters and ensures that these new provisions do not infringe upon existing First Amendment rights.