Augusta, GA – As the 2025 legislative session nears its conclusion, state lawmakers are making one final push to clear crucial bills before the Friday deadline. Among the top priorities is ensuring the safety of students and staff within public schools, with significant discussions centered around House Bill 268.

The bill, which is making its way through the final stages of the legislative process, proposes several key measures aimed at enhancing school security across the state. A central component of the bill is the requirement for public schools to implement a mobile panic alert system that would connect directly with first responders in the event of a security crisis. This system is designed to improve response times and coordination during emergencies, which could potentially save lives in critical situations.

Additionally, House Bill 268 calls for public schools to provide school mapping data to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security. This would ensure that first responders have access to accurate and up-to-date building layouts and other vital information when responding to emergencies on school grounds.

The bill also addresses the transfer of students within the state’s juvenile justice system. It mandates that any student moving from the Department of Juvenile Justice to a new school must have their records, particularly any “critical records” related to behavior or previous security concerns, shared with the receiving school. This provision is designed to help new schools understand a student’s history and be better equipped to address any potential risks or challenges.

State Rep. Mark Newton, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized the importance of addressing the mental health and safety needs of students. “We’ve been working on the mental health angle and ensuring that school systems, much like they receive academic records, are aware of any behavioral threats that may have been made,” Newton said. “This is to ensure that a new school system is fully informed and prepared.”

As part of the ongoing efforts to improve school safety, Governor Brian Kemp has also given his approval for a one-time, $50 million grant to support school security improvements. This funding, which will be included in his amended budget, is intended to help schools across the state enhance their safety measures and infrastructure, providing much-needed resources as lawmakers work to address growing concerns about security.

With the legislative session set to close in just a few days, House Bill 268 and other safety-focused measures are expected to remain at the forefront of discussions. Lawmakers hope that these efforts will help make schools safer and better prepared to respond to potential threats, ensuring a more secure environment for students, teachers, and staff alike.