HB 147: Safe Schools Act FAQ

What is the primary purpose of HB 147?

Are "Intruder Alert Drills" mandatory?

Yes. Every Georgia public school is required to conduct at least one intruder alert drill by October 1 each school year. The drill must include students, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. Schools may substitute the required September fire drill with an intruder alert drill. CSD exceeds the minimum statutory requirement by conducting one intruder alert drill per semester.

Can parents opt their children out of these drills?

The law says schools may offer parents the opportunity to opt out of these drills. CSD had an opt-out opportunity for the September 2024 drill, which occurred shortly after the Apalachee shooting, and in spring 2025 (to be consistent with families' prior experience that school year). In FY26, CSD aligned with most other Metro districts and did not offer an intruder drill opt-out. CSD's position is that opting out of the intruder drill potentially undermines the safety of not only that student but also of other students and staff. Similarly, we do not permit students to opt out of fire drills, severe weather drills, or other safety drills.

How must schools report these drills?

What are the requirements for School Safety Plans?

While Georgia schools already maintained safety plans, HB 147 adds stricter submission and review requirements:

Plans must now be submitted to GEMA/HS for review and approval.
The plans must be developed in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies.
Plans must address multiple threats, including natural disasters, hazardous materials, acts of violence, and mental health awareness.

What is the "School Safety and Anti-Gang Endorsement"?

The act directed the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) to create a new professional endorsement for educators. To equip staff with "multidisciplinary best practices" for maintaining safe schools and identifying/deterring youth gang recruitment. While only certified/licensed educators can officially add the endorsement to their credentials, the training is often made available to all school personnel. The endorsement typically involves a mix of online and in-person training sessions (20 in total) covering threat assessment and gang awareness.

Which agencies oversee compliance?

Are Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) teams mandatory?

What are the requirements for the "Multidisciplinary Team"?

Schools cannot rely on a single individual to make threat determinations. The law requires a multidisciplinary team approach to identify, assess, and mitigate potential threats. These teams typically include:

School Administrators (Principals or Assistant Principals)
Mental Health Professionals (School Counselors, Psychologists, or Social Workers)
Law Enforcement (School Resource Officers)
Special Education Representatives (when applicable to the student being assessed)

How does the BTA process interact with student records?

To ensure teams have a full picture of a student's risk, new mandates have expanded the sharing of student records. When a student transfers, behavioral health and safety records must be shared quickly between districts. During an active investigation, the team is authorized to review the student's history of disciplinary actions and mental health concerns to determine if a "pathway to violence" exists.

What happens if a "credible threat" is identified?

If a multidisciplinary team determines a threat is credible, the law allows for immediate protective actions, which may include:

Assigning the student to temporary remote learning while a full investigation and safety plan are completed.
Mandatory case management consultations.
Referral to law enforcement if the behavior meets the criteria for "terroristic acts" (which, for students 13 and older, can now carry significant felony penalties under the 2025 updates).

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