[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6297925,"mediaKeyId","2506030-a5f2a6b706c96440953233f0d03a6462","parentId",2506030,"title","Senators debate statewide student-threat database and alert system; parents and advocates raise privacy and equity concerns","audioSeconds",1771,"startMs",2502000,"endMs",4273000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506030-a5f2a6b706c96440953233f0d03a6462&start=2502&end=4273","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506030-a5f2a6b706c96440953233f0d03a6462/thumbnail_2502000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6297925/Georgia/Senators-debate-statewide-student-threat-database-and-alert-system-parents-and-advocates-raise-privacy-and-equity-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297925-27a2c7354ad366c817fe051119e8984e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000479&Signature=hW4sdpEVAPPJzTOtBWWs3XXtNIph~MguATBpVpwK5LNbSlbVZFNm9IavqpV7BKy0EWP2vjIHfxloUk5VPdrZFLS3faBp3eH-M7RBm2Gvu0wJEe68u5HkqCtboOKyYDlyTPrByJM7F607a2WeGoXS0b4szsvfSlrTax3UwQcVp3VCfd4bMJCzMjCp2s9eOLOI0CS-D31fhNfIZ8TMnLJ1a4Yn5nZfxpGOwDoSnioolgvxQ9dj2F5c48d~mFrR1fk6gzA5f1FswsCYxvSaNdyiLI6cGeK2Nv8spBLSZ0BvgYzqPVkfLybdSUZ1RK97tLVzinENoIoL1e-Isdzzf6g~Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 54 (LC 394489), presented by Senator Jones to the Senate Education and Youth Committee, would direct the State Board of Education to establish a statewide alert system and a database for primary and secondary schools listing students who have been evaluated as posing a threat to school safety. The bill directs the State Board to promulgate rules governing the database and to consult with other agencies as needed; proponents said the system would standardize information-sharing across school systems.

Senator Jones said the measure grew from the firearms safe-storage study committee convened by the lieutenant governor and described three components, with the principal goal to have a common alert system rather than each district developing separate solutions. Jones told the committee the database \"would exist of students that pose any kind of threat to, any of the ... school systems throughout the state of Georgia\" and that the evaluation criteria would rely on clinical psychologists and school social workers.

Senator Jones said the bill would not itself create new data elements in most cases but would add a field to the existing transfer information and that the State Board of Education — not law-enforcement agencies — would lead the rulemaking.

Questions from committee members focused on timelines (the bill schedules the database to begin in 2027 to allow board hiring and procurement), whether the State Board should be required to consult with Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security (GEMA) and other agencies, cost implications and who would have access to the database. Jones said the State Board would adopt rules that limit access and determine technical protections.

During public comment, Deandrea Byrd, who identified herself as a parent and long-time education advocate, urged the committee to reconsider the bill and warned it could \"disproportionately harm black and brown students and students with disabilities,\" citing national disparities in school discipline rates and expressing concern that a statewide watchlist \"could make it easier for some children to be labeled, stereotyped, watched, harassed, punished, rather than supported.\" Byrd also raised cybersecurity concerns and asked who would have access to records about children as young as kindergarten.

A witness who identified herself as a former school principal responded during the hearing that much of the transfer information already exists in school-to-school records and emphasized that the bill’s intent is child safety; she cited a transfer case referenced earlier in the hearing where information did not reach a receiving district.

Committee members discussed possible amendments and the legislative timeline: because crossover day was the following day, Senator Jones said the bill could not complete the steps necessary to move to the House in time and would likely be recommitted. Several senators encouraged the sponsor and interested members to refine language and seek a vehicle to attach the language to a bill that has already crossed over. Senators also suggested tightening language about who may access the database and requiring consultation with security agencies.

No committee vote to pass SB 54 was recorded during the hearing; senators and witnesses agreed to continue work on language and find an appropriate legislative vehicle for enactment this session.

Ending: Committee members expressed the bill’s intent to improve safety while also acknowledging substantial concerns about privacy, equity and access; senators asked the sponsor to meet with stakeholders and counsel to refine language for future consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/05/2025 Senate Committee on Education & Youth","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 54 (LC 394489), presented by Senator Jones, would direct the State Board of Education to create a statewide alert system and a database of students evaluated as posing threats to school safety.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6297930,"Senate committee advances bill to join interstate compact for school psychologists",1232,1253000,2485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506030-a5f2a6b706c96440953233f0d03a6462&start=1253&end=2485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506030-a5f2a6b706c96440953233f0d03a6462/thumbnail_1253000.jpg","/articles/6297930/Georgia/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-join-interstate-compact-for-school-psychologists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297930-fdb1b781b000f6afbab2c802dc0c1383/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000479&Signature=XXy335yhjlpPh7blYXDNhNO1LglmTADT-ODklhiLhoy6IHr8xzOa7F7PrGYEuBJYfKoBRo1JhQXuhPvULtqivTZGivUoNSJxioqZtvp235pt5y1ot9YBHcRwoMyCKq-GC0G~BE5XdEcSA4~9ThueApI3~wnuXvh4DBlqLh7Z1Q3fd7dhTGhWJzSsP4ZaB4DZG3Gor2UqUP4lZiGOWLevYeRFszL0Xgn0xk56wsBvpYrPSrMPDYigsCTQsYJ9TaitNM3Y2i-SWhNxKkQ~f4TH7X-eo-S2n5K2k-faBV0gomntH3B6PDGA4GMXziV~vd1Ux6t3fKi6SMn37oFI1epA0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 81 (LC 610036) — sponsored in the House by Representative Ballard and presented to the Senate committee — was advanced after committee members voted to pass the measure. The bill would enter Georgia into the Interstate Compact of School Psychologists, an agreement developed with the Council of State Governments, the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Association of School Psychologists to ease certification portability for qualifying school psychologists across member states.

The measure’s sponsor, Representative Ballard, told the committee the compact \"reduces barriers to certification\" and \"will ensure that only qualified professionals are authorized to provide services to our children.\" Ballard said the compact aligns with priorities the committee named earlier in the session: school safety and literacy, and emphasized that school psychologists perform many assessments related to dyslexia and other special-education needs.

Margaret Chiarelli, representing the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, testified in strong support of the bill. Chiarelli cited survey results she said showed Georgia teachers consider more school psychologists, counselors and social workers among \"their top strategy to increase school safety by increasing student mental health delivery.\" Chiarelli also introduced a letter from Rachel Greenlee, president of the Georgia Association of School Psychologists, describing school psychologists’ training and role in dyslexia screening and crisis response.

Jody Barrow of the Professional Standards Commission told the committee that the commission’s certification staff reviewed the compact’s requirements and found they align with Georgia’s expectations for school psychologists. Barrow said some rule writing would be required if the compact is adopted, but he did not expect that to be a substantive obstacle.

Committee members asked procedural and practical questions: how many states had enacted the compact, whether the compact would lower Georgia’s certification standards, and whether the compact would help military families who move frequently. Ballard and Barrow said West Virginia and Colorado had enacted the compact and that Nebraska and New Jersey had measures in play; they also said the compact does not lower Georgia’s standards and would ease transitions for military spouses.

Senator Kent moved to pass LC 610036; a second was recorded and the committee voted to approve the bill in committee. Committee discussion after the vote emphasized that rulemaking and coordination with the Professional Standards Commission would follow if the compact is enacted.

The bill will proceed according to the Legislature’s process; committee members and witnesses said additional steps would include any required commission rule writing and coordination with the State’s certification processes.

\"This is an initiative that was developed by the Council of State Governments in collaboration with the Department of Defense and the National Association of School Psychologists,\" Representative Ballard said during her presentation. \"It will reduce barriers to certification.\"

Ending: Supporters framed the compact primarily as a tool to increase the pipeline of trained school psychologists and to provide district-level expertise for dyslexia screening and crisis response. Committee members expressed broad support and directed staff and relevant agencies to work through the technical steps needed for implementation if the Legislature adopts the measure.","House Bill 81 (LC 610036) — sponsored in the House by Representative Ballard and presented to the Senate committee — was advanced after committee members voted to pass the measure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators debate statewide student-threat database and alert system; parents and advocates raise privacy and equity concerns

Senate committee advances bill to join interstate compact for school psychologists