Title 20 — Education

This article shall be known and may be cited as “The Caregiver Educational Consent Act.” History. Code 1981, § 20-1-14, enacted by Ga. L. 2017, p. 113, § 2/SB 186. 20-1-15. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term: (1) “Child” means any individual under 18 years of age. (2) “Fictive kin” means an individual who is known to a child as a relative but is not in fact related by blood or marriage to such child and with whom such child has resided or had signific…

(a) A kinship caregiver shall be authorized, on behalf of a child residing with the kinship caregiver, which child is not in the custody of the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services, to give legal consent for such child to: (1) Receive any e…

(a) A kinship caregiver’s affidavit shall be invalid unless it substantially contains, in not less than ten-point boldface type or a reasonable equivalent thereof, the form set forth in subsection (b) of this Code section. The warning statement shall be enclosed in a box with thr…

Definitions. Kinship caregiver authorized to provide legal consent. Reliance on properly executed affidavit; notice of child ceasing to reside with kinship caregiver; provision of false information in execution of affidavit. Requirements for validly executed affidavit; form. Artic…

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.” History. Code 1981, § 20-1-20, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 2037, § 1. 20-1-21. Legislative findings and intent.

The General Assembly finds that the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs in an unlawful manner is a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare and to the academic achievement of students enrolled …

As used in this article, the term: (1) “Authority” means the Georgia Student Finance Authority created pursuant to Code Section 20-3-313. (2) “Controlled substance” means any drug, substance, or immediate precursor included in the definition of the term “controlled substance” in p…

(a) Any student of a nonpublic educational institution who is convicted, under the laws of this state, the United States, or any other state, of any felony offense involving the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of marijuana, a controlled substance, or a dangero…

The suspension sanctions and sanctions involving denial of state funds as prescribed in this article are intended as minimum sanctions, and nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit any educational institution from establishing and implementing additional or more str…

Administrative procedures for the implementation of this article shall be promulgated for the educational institutions under their respective management and control by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the State Board of the Technical College System of …

Legislative findings and intent. Definitions. Disciplinary action for student of public educational institution. Disciplinary action for student of nonpublic educational institution. Additional sanctions permissible. Promulgation of administrative procedures for implementation of a…

Any individual appointed to act as a surrogate parent for a child pursuant to federal law (P.L. 94-142) and federal regulations (34 C.F.R. 8300.514), as such law and regulations existed on January 1, 1985, shall not be liable for any civil damages for any action or actions done w…

(a) The Sunday commencing the third week of November of each year is designated as Retired Teachers’ Day. (b) The Governor may issue annually a proclamation designating the Sunday commencing the third week of November of each year as Retired Teachers’ Day and calling upon public …

Plains High School is designated as the official Georgia state school. History. Code 1981, § 20-1-6.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1997, p. 1060, § 1. 20-1-7. Fraudulent activities with respect to documents conferred by institution of education; penalties. (a) No person may buy, sell, crea…

The Department of Early Care and Learning is created as a department of the executive branch of state government and shall have the duties, responsibilities, functions, powers, and authority set forth in this chapter and otherwise provided by law. The Department of Early Care and…

(a) The department is authorized and empowered to establish, maintain, extend, and improve throughout the state, within the limits of funds appropriated for such purposes, the regulation of early care and education programs by providing consultation and making recommendations con…

A determination by the department regarding payments and eligibility pursuant to any federal program or grant shall be preceded by notice and opportunity for a hearing and shall constitute a contested case within the meaning of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative …

(a) Any person who violates the provisions of Code Section 20-1A-10 or who hinders, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with any representative of the department in the discharge of that person’s official duties in making inspections or in investigating complaints as provided in s…

(a) The department upon application or petition may grant variances and waivers to specific rules and regulations which establish standards for early care and education programs regulated by the department as follows: (1) The department may authorize departure from the literal req…

Definitions. Commissioner; board; duties and powers; salary; personnel; rules and regulations. Powers and duties. Department authorized to establish nonprofit corporation to qualify as a public foundation to aid in carrying out department’s powers and purposes; requirements; annual…

The commissioner and the State School Superintendent, with the concurrence of the board for the department and the State Board of Education, are authorized to transfer programs relating to early childhood education from the Department of Education to the department, as long as su…

(a) Each child care learning center and family child care learning home shall, by September 1 of each year, provide to the parent or guardian of each child enrolled therein educational information on the influenza vaccine. Such information shall include, but not be limited to: (1)…

As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Board” means the Board of Early Care and Learning. (2) “Change of ownership applicant” means any licensed or commissioned early care and education program applying for a new license or commission to operate an early care and education progr…

As used in this article, the term: (1) “Comprehensive records check determination” means a satisfactory or unsatisfactory determination by the department, based upon a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check, a search of the National Crime Information Center’s National S…

No licensed, commissioned, or permitted facility operated as an early care and education program or similar facility or any operator of such a facility shall allow any person who has been convicted of or who has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any offense specified …

(a) If the director of a licensed, commissioned, or permitted early care and education program ceases to be the director of that early care and education program, the license holder, commission holder, or permit holder shall thereupon designate a new director. After such change, …

The Department of Early Care and Learning shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To administer such programs and services as may be necessary for the operation and management of voluntary pre-kindergarten, which shall be known as “Georgia’s Pre-K Program”; (2) To adminis…

The requirements of this article are supplemental to any requirements for a license imposed by Article 1 of this chapter. History. Code 1981, § 20-1A-42, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 645, § 1; Ga. L. 2013, p. 285, § 2/HB 350; Ga. L. 2015, p. 965, § 2/HB 401. Editor’s notes. Ga. L. …

The board is authorized to provide by regulation for the administration of this article. History. Code 1981, § 20-1A-44, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 645, § 1; Ga. L. 2013, p. 285, § 2/HB 350; Ga. L. 2015, p. 965, § 2/HB 401. Editor’s notes. Ga. L. 2015, p. 965, § 2/HB 401, effecti…

A satisfactory comprehensive records check determination shall be no longer valid for an employee or director who has been separated from employment for more than 180 consecutive days from an early care and 69 20-1A-45 education program or any program that received, either direct…

This chapter shall not be construed to impair or affect the rights of persons previously transferred to the Office of School Readiness who were members of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia created in Chapter 3 of Title 47 and who elected to continue membership in such ret…

The department shall succeed to all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and pending and finalized administrative orders of the Office of School Readiness which are in effect on September 30, 2004. Such rules, regulations, policies, and procedures shall remain in effect until…

(a) The State Board of Education is created. The state board shall be composed of one member from each congressional district in this state, who shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall not be a member of the state bo…

Ga. L. 2015, p. 1031, § 2-1/SB 89, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Digital Classroom Act.’”

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “educator” means any principal, school administrator, teacher, school counselor, paraprofessional, school bus driver, volunteer assisting teachers in the classroom, tribunal members, or certificated professional personnel. (b) An educator…

(a) Superintendents of each school system shall be employed by the local board of education under written contracts for a term of not less than one year and not more than three years. Any provision of any such contract which provides for an extension of the duration of employment…

(a) The State Board of Education is authorized to prescribe, by regulation, the definition of the term “instructional materials and content” to include but not be limited to systematically designed material in any medium, including digital instructional materials and content and a…

All purchases or contracts for purchases shall be made subject to the condition that the price paid by the state shall not exceed the price which may be offered by the publisher to any other school or school authority for substantially the same instructional materials and content…

Liability insurance for per- Limitation on civil damages for disciplining student; frivolous or nonmeritorious actions; legal counsel for the educator. Limited immunity from criminal liability. Article 19 PART 12 20-2-990. 20-2-991. formance of duties authorized; actions against …

This article shall not apply to students in home study programs or virtual courses. History. Code 1981, § 20-2-2016, enacted by Ga. L. 2015, p. 1031, § 2-2/SB 89.

(a) To educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values, principles, and philosophies on which this country was founded, it is strongly encouraged that the full week in September which includes Constitution Day, September 17, is…

(a) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historical documents, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, those documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate. Local boards of education and charte…

Before entering upon the discharge of his or her official duties, the local school superintendent shall take and subscribe to the following oath of office: STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF I, perform the , do solemnly swear or affirm that I will truly duties of local school superintend…

Each county and independent system school superintendent must give bond with an approved surety company payable to the county or independent system board of education, the amount to be decided by the board. Such bond must be filed with the judge of the probate court of the county …

No teacher, principal, school board, or any other person may require or prescribe any particular method or manner in which a child shall participate in any period of silent prayer or meditation, but each child shall be absolutely free to participate therein or not, in such manner…

Whenever the county board of education deems it for the best interest of the schools of the county, it shall also have the right and power to contract with individuals or corporations for the transportation of pupils and school employees to and from school. 838 20-2-1071 ELEMENTA…

Payment of insurance premiums by school board or other bus owner. Insurance coverage for general public; waiver of school board’s immunity. Mutual insurance policies to be nonassessable. School boards to keep insurance policies. PART 3 Article 22 20-2-1070. persons with disabilit…

Each local school superintendent shall be certified and classified by the Professional Standards Commission as teachers are now classified and certified under Code Section 20-2-200. The superintendents shall receive salaries according to a schedule of minimum salaries fixed by the sta…

(a) The local school superintendent shall constitute the medium of communication between the State School Superintendent and subordinate local school officers. The local school superintendent shall be the executive officer of the local board of education; shall be the agent of th…