Committee adopts amendment to add appeals clause to Title VI coordinator bill and advances it

Committee members and witnesses debated a substitute version of Senate Bill 523 (LC610474S), a measure that would establish a statewide Title VI coordinator and require a uniform complaint process — and, after amendment, a process for appeals — for discrimination complaints in Georgia public education settings.

Representative Silcox explained a small but consequential change to the substitute: insertion of the words 'and appeals' following the word 'complaints' so the statute would require an available complaint and appeals process that is publicized and available electronically and in writing. She said the substitute also removed explicit references to antisemitism so the statute would cover discrimination against all faith communities equally.

Witnesses urged the committee to craft the appeals and complaint process carefully. Michaela Arciaga, who testified for the House version, said the state should require school systems to adopt local complaint procedures so appeals to the state would be anchored and avoid replicating federal Office for Civil Rights backlogs. Aska Mahmoud, executive director at CARE Georgia, said her group supported the amendment broadening the bill to include all faiths and cited a sharp increase in anti‑Muslim incidents. Noor, a Georgia State student, and other commenters warned that discrimination affects many faith groups and urged inclusive language.

Committee members asked whether the Department of Education had weighed in, who would staff or qualify for the coordinator role, and whether state remedies would preclude federal filings; sponsors and members emphasized the federal process would remain available and said the state role would be intended to give complainants additional choice and a more local path to redress. The chair and sponsor said rules and regulations would follow should the measure pass, and the committee discussed coordination between local, state and federal processes.

Whit Park moved to add the words 'and appeals' to line 66 (after 'complaints'); the committee seconded the amendment and adopted it by voice vote. With the amendment adopted, the committee gave LC610474S a due‑pass recommendation to the next committee. The transcript records voice votes with ayes and no opposed recorded.