The House and Senate met briefly this morning. There was no legislation brought to the floor of the House today. The Senate adopted one measure, SR 67, to declare February 2 as "Georgia Arts Day."

The Georgia General Assembly has the day off tomorrow and will return Monday morning for Day 10 of the 40-day session.

Thursday, January 30, 2025 - Day 9

House and Senate Education committees meet Monday

Members the House Education Committee and the Senate Education and Youth Committee will meet for a joint hearing on Monday at 1 p.m. in 506 Coverdell. Legislators will hear overviews from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (school safety), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (mental health), the Georgia Council on Literacy, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), and the Georgia Department of Education. The meeting may be watched here.

Senate Education Committee passes bill limiting school team sports participation to gender on birth certificate

After two hours of testimony, debate, and questions, the Senate Education and Youth Committee this afternoon passed out of committee SB 1, a bill that, according to the text of the legislation, would "require transgender girls and women [to compete only] on sports team according to the gender on their birth certificate." The bill could be on the floor of the Senate next week.

The bill affects public middle school, high school, and collegiate students.

There was an amendment offered by freshman Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D- Atlanta, that explicitly prohibits the physical inspection of any students genitalia. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, seconded the motion, and it was adopted.

Meanwhile, SB 30 has been filed which would prevent the prescribing or administering of certain hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications to minors.

Newly introduced legislation

HB 173 would require the Department of Education to provide to parents and guardians of students entering the sixth grade information regarding recommended adolescent vaccinations in print or electronic form.

HB 175 proposes to require that "any current or potential director, employee, or other individual affiliated with any program that receives, either directly or indirectly, federal funds through the department for the care of children, including, but not limited to, early care and education programs and Head Start programs" undergo background checks.

SB 63 would require each local school system that offers the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT or an advanced placement exam make such tests available to home schooled students living in the district.

Next Legislative Update: Monday, February 3

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