HB 1327 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education; install key boxes at each school building in locations determined in collaboration with local law enforcement; provide

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 27 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to loitering at or disrupting schools, so as to require the local board of education or other governing body of each public and private elementary and secondary school in this state to install key boxes at each school building in locations determined in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies; to provide for the purpose, content, and minimum standards of such key boxes; to provide for policies and procedures; to provide for immunity from civil liability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 63 0104/a → LC 63 0125S/hs · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was replaced by a House substitute version that adds a critical exception for schools already using a formal rapid access program for first responders. The new version also simplifies the language regarding where key boxes are placed by removing the specific requirement to collaborate with emergency management agencies for location selection, while retaining the need for law enforcement input.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed to exclude schools that have already implemented a documented rapid access program for first responders, meaning those schools are no longer required to install new key boxes.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exception exempting schools that have implemented a documented and formal rapid access program for first responders from the requirement to install exterior key boxes.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the requirement for key box location selection to remove the mandate for collaboration with emergency management agencies, leaving location determination solely to the school board and local law enforcement.

Rephrased the requirement for key box installation to clarify that access must be provided to any locked external or internal door locks, not just general building access.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors