Committee approves Senate Bill 552 after debate over student access, forum rules

A Georgia House committee voted to pass Senate Bill 552, known in the hearing by substitute LC492838S, after lawmakers debated how the measure would affect student political activity and school access rules.

Chairman Leverett, who presented the substitute, said the changes narrow the bill and "make it clear that the bill is about just treating everyone equal." Leverett said the substitute removes mandates that would force schools to adopt particular forum structures and added language clarifying that nothing in the code "shall be construed or applied to require public school to establish a limited open forum." He said the bill tracks portions of the federal Equal Access Act and is intended to require fair treatment of groups if a school maintains a limited open forum.

Representative Silcox and other members pressed for specifics about the bill’s operation. Silcox noted concerns from school superintendents about lines 33–36 of the substitute, asking whether the provision would obligate schools to provide supervision or allow after‑school access to groups. Leverett and other supporters replied the provision does not require schools to offer space after hours; rather, if a school elects to allow noncurricular groups to meet, it must offer equal access to similarly situated groups. As Leverett summarized, schools "can prohibit or restrict conduct that either causes or could reasonably be forecast to cause a material and substantial disruption of the work and discipline of the school."

Representative Ballmer asked whether the sponsor had identified a specific example in Georgia that made the bill necessary. Leverett said he did not have a Georgia example on hand; he said the sponsor had provided articles but Leverett had not reviewed them personally. Ballmer worried the bill would effectively allow student protests at unconventional hours; supporters said the language applies only when schools have already allowed noncurricular groups and that time, place and manner restrictions would still apply where they have been reasonably established.

During the exchange, Leverett used a blunt example to stress potential disorder, saying, "If everybody's high on pot, I'm not sure how much discipline and work is gonna get done," arguing that the substitute preserves schools’ authority to enforce attendance and discipline rules. Bridgette and other members asked for clarifications distinguishing school‑sponsored, school‑organized activities (for example, football) from student‑organized noncurricular activities, and members referenced federal guidance that the Equal Access Act already imposes restrictions and rights in some cases.

Representative Kelly moved to pass the bill; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the substitute on a voice vote. Chair announced "Ayes have it," and the committee adjourned.

Why it matters: The substitute’s language aims to balance student free‑expression claims with school authority to maintain order and discipline. Because the substitute explicitly references limited open‑forum concepts and tracks federal Equal Access Act language, it changes how schools must manage noncurricular student groups when they opt to allow them.

What comes next: The bill passed the committee; the transcript does not record subsequent steps or a floor schedule.