Legislation aimed at tightening school safety measures in Georgia is set to be introduced following last year’s tragic school shooting in Barrow County. House Speaker Jon Burns announced on Monday that the proposed law will include a statewide database to track student mental health histories, an anonymous reporting app for school threats, and mandatory safety plans for school districts.
New Safety Measures in Response to Barrow County Tragedy
Burns, a Republican from Newington, emphasized that this legislative package is a direct response to the Apalachee High School shooting on September 4, 2024. That attack claimed the lives of two students and two teachers, leaving the community in shock.
The proposed law includes:
- A student information-sharing database to allow schools, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to track troubled students.
- An anonymous app where students and staff can report threats without fear of retaliation.
- A requirement for school districts to develop and implement safety management plans.
- A $50 million one-time school safety grant, providing each public school in Georgia with $68,000 for security upgrades.
“We know that failure to transfer and share information regarding the student who is accused of these horrific acts played a role in the deaths that unfolded that day,” Burns said. “Our school safety plan will mandate participation in a statewide student information sharing and tracking database.”
The Role of Law Enforcement and Mental Health Professionals
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) will oversee the implementation of the tracking system. According to Burns, this initiative will allow school personnel, law enforcement, and mental health experts to collaborate on assessing student behavior and potential threats.
The database will log reported threats and mental health concerns, ensuring that schools have access to critical information when a student transfers between districts. Suspensions will be mandated for students under investigation to prevent potential incidents.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith praised the quick response of first responders during the Apalachee High School tragedy. “Their actions saved lives, but we must do more to prevent these attacks before they happen,” he said.
Financial Incentives for Firearm Safety and Tougher Penalties for Threats
Beyond the database and threat reporting system, the legislation proposes tax incentives for firearm safes and other security equipment to encourage responsible gun ownership.
Additionally, penalties will be increased for individuals—students or otherwise—who make terroristic threats against schools. Lawmakers believe this measure will deter copycat threats that frequently follow high-profile shootings.
Burns acknowledged that school safety has been a national concern since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which killed 20 children and six adults. However, he stressed that Georgia lawmakers must take action now to prevent future tragedies.
Community Support and the Aftermath of the Apalachee High School Shooting
The school safety proposal has strong backing from victims’ families. Richard and Rita Aspinwall, parents of Ricky Aspinwall—a math teacher and football coach killed in the attack—stood alongside Burns during the announcement.
Meanwhile, Colin Gray, father of 14-year-old accused shooter Colt Gray, faces felony charges for purchasing an AR-15 rifle as a gift for his son. Prosecutors say the rifle was used in the attack that killed students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with teachers Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie.
While the legislation is expected to face debates on privacy concerns and implementation costs, its proponents argue that urgent action is needed to protect students and educators.
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