House Subcommittee Passes School Safety Plan Development Exemption 

The State and Local Subcommittee of House Governmental Affairs met briefly this afternoon and passed HB 784 , legislation related to the development of school safety plans. The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), explained that under current law, schools are required to develop school safety plans. Once developed, the plans are exempt from open meetings requirements and may be discussed by local boards of education in executive session. However, safety plan development discussions are not specifically exempt from open meetings laws. HB 784 would shield such development discussions from open meetings requirements. Lumsden reported that a school district he represents brought the problem to his attention. After brief committee discussion and testimony by the Georgia School Boards Association in support of the bill, the legislation passed with one dissenting vote. It now moves to the full Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration.