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GeorgiaSB 1482025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Public School Property and Facilities; outdoor learning spaces pilot program; provide

Sponsored By: Bo Hatchett (Republican), Sheikh Rahman (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

School staff gain more flexible leave

Georgia school staff can use five days of saved sick leave each school year for personal or professional reasons, up from three. This does not add new sick-leave days. Staff still need advance approval from the local superintendent or an authorized representative. Absences must follow local policies for days when staff presence is essential to school operations. Staff may be asked whether the absence is personal or professional, but approval cannot depend on sharing the specific reason.

Schools can offer hunting safety lessons

Beginning in 2026–2027, Georgia local school boards can offer hunting safety lessons in grades 6–12, including within existing courses. Offering the lessons is optional. The State Board of Education must adopt content standards by April 1, 2026. Lessons must use a curriculum based on Georgia Department of Natural Resources hunter education courses and instructors certified by that department. The law provides no dedicated funding.

Selected schools can pilot outdoor learning

Beginning in 2025–2026, Georgia's Department of Education can start an optional pilot to study outdoor learning practices and design standards. Selected elementary and secondary schools must have enough existing or potential outdoor learning space. Participating local boards must include outdoor spaces in lessons and continue the program for at least three years. Private donors, nonprofits, and local school systems can fund community engagement, grounds design, and construction; state funding is not guaranteed. After year three, the department must evaluate the pilot and report to the House Education and Senate Education and Youth committees.

Schools need defibrillators, with less medical oversight

Every Georgia public school must have at least one working automated external defibrillator (AED) on site by July 1, 2025. These heart emergency devices must be accessible during school hours and school events, and maintained and tested under manufacturer guidelines. Staff who use or oversee them need CPR and AED training from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or an equivalent nationally recognized course. Schools must notify emergency medical services (EMS) of each device's existence and location before use. Written emergency plans must follow nationally recognized standards, explain cardiac emergency steps, activate EMS, and direct responders to the person's exact location. Starting in 2025–2026, schools must hold at least two drills yearly, including one each semester, using varied campus locations and scenarios. Each school needs a response team of at least five staff, with CPR/AED and communication leads and assigned device and EMS duties. All school staff must know device locations and team members. Schools no longer need a doctor or other approved medical professional in the program, or to report clinical use to that person. State purchase funding depends on appropriations; the department and local systems must seek private funding, and no dedicated funding stream is created.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Sheikh Rahman

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Soo Hong

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 1

Senate vote • 1/28/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 50 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 4/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 165 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 1 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/5/2026Senate

  3. Act 398

    5/5/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    1/28/2026Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    4/4/2025House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    4/4/2025House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/25/2025House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/11/2025House

  10. House First Readers

    3/10/2025House

  11. Senate Tabled

    3/6/2025Senate

  12. Senate Taken from Table

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2025Senate

  14. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025Senate

  15. Senate Read Second Time

    3/3/2025Senate

  16. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/28/2025Senate

  17. Senate Read and Referred

    2/13/2025Senate

  18. Senate Hopper

    2/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB148/AP* (v11)

    PDF

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