Georgia Judiciary Committee advances bill to expand student political expression in public schools

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 552, the True Patriotism and Universal Student Access Act, after a brief presentation and no public testimony.

An unnamed presenter told the committee the bill would "ensure that students' First Amendment rights to organize, gather, and speak are protected" and would require that public schools treat partisan and nonpartisan political student groups the same as other extracurricular groups during noninstructional time. The presenter said schools that maintain a limited open forum could not deny equal access "on the basis of the group's political, philosophical, ideological, or other content." The bill also would guarantee the right of students to wear clothing or accessories that display political messages.

Committee members did not receive public testimony on SB 552. After questions and brief discussion, Senator Steele moved to pass the bill; Senator Kauser seconded the motion. The committee chair called for a voice/hand vote and announced the motion carried unanimously. The committee recorded the action as passage by committee substitute where applicable; the bill will move forward to the next legislative step assigned by the Senate.

Supporters framed the measure as protecting student free-speech rights on campus; the presenter said the state could be the first to "codify into state law" protections for student political expression analogous to protections for other student activities. No opponents signed up to testify in committee.

The committee did not specify a floor calendar date in the hearing. The bill will proceed according to committee and rules scheduling.

Next steps: SB 552 will move to the subsequent legislative stage assigned by Senate leadership.