Latest news with #HouseBill340
Axios
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Georgia General Assembly: Early voting, abortion and delta-THC
Legislation clamping down on early voting, restricting transgender athletes' participation in sports, and unraveling the mystery of Georgia's sky-high insurance premiums are on state lawmakers' agendas. Driving the news: The Georgia General Assembly is entering its final week, and lawmakers are practicing legislative judo to get their pet proposals across the finish line before Sine Die, the day the session formally ends, on April 4. Here's a look at what's moving, stopping and stalled. 🗳️ Elections Senate Republicans are pushing a 26-page bill that would require poll workers to hand count ballots and force Georgia to leave a multi-state voter integrity group. The full Senate and House must vote on the measure before it heads to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk, the AJC reports. A proposal by state Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania), to end Georgia's use of touchscreen voting machines may wait until 2026 for a vote, the AJC reports. 🏠 School safety House Bill 268, which would (among other things) require schools to develop safety plans in the event of a shooting, provide suicide prevention training, and help schools hire behavioral health coordinators, is waiting for a Senate vote. 📵 Cellphones in schools If signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, House Bill 340 will require districts to restrict access to cellphones and other personal electronic devices for kindergarten through eighth-grade public school students. ⚕️ Reproductive rights The Georgia Prenatal Equal Protection Act, or House Bill 441, would define life as beginning at conception and effectively outlaw all abortions in the state. The bill, which must still pass out of committee and both chambers, would also create legal risks for IVF providers, according to witnesses who testified against the legislation. 🌿 Hemp Legislation limiting the amount of delta-THC compounds in tinctures and edibles and outright banning THC beverages will likely wait until next year, House Regulated Industries Committee chair Alan Powell (R-Hartwell) said. Another proposal in the House would create a committee to study "intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products," potentially giving lawmakers, industry players and users more time to find common ground. 🤰 Maternal health A bill sponsored by state Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Brookhaven) would require corn masa flour and similar products made and sold in Georgia to contain folic acid. Public health officials say the measure could help pregnant Latina women who don't get enough of the nutrient. 🙏 Religious freedom House Republicans revived a controversial — and seemingly stuck — effort to add protections on the local and state levels for people who feel they face discrimination because of their faith. Critics say the legislation, which awaits a Senate vote, would create a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. ⚖️ Tort reform Legislation putting limits on third parties that finance civil lawsuits — the second and final piece of Kemp's " tort reform" push — has received Senate approval and awaits final passage in the House. Separate legislation reducing the liability of property owners for crimes committed on their property was amended after pushback from advocates for sex trafficking survivors. The bill awaits Kemp's signature. 🏳️⚧️ Transgender rights State Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah)'s measure to ban transgender minors from receiving puberty-blocking medications now permits some access with parental consent, the Georgia Recorder reports. 💵 Insurance reform State lawmakers would study why insurance premiums in Georgia have skyrocketed and possible reforms under a proposal approved Wednesday by a House committee.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A ban on cell phones in Georgia Schools heads to the governor's desk
A statewide ban on cell phones in the classroom for Georgia students will now head to the governor's desk for final approval. On Tuesday, House Bill 340 passed the Senate with overwhelming support. Sen. Jason Anavitarte, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, spoke with Channel 2's Richard Elliot just moments after the bill was passed. 'Simply put - phones need to put away and we must be sensitive to what parents and teachers want,' Anavitarte said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Marietta Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera, who helped spearhead the statewide effort after implementing a similar ban in the district's two middle schools, told Channel 2′s Brittany Kleinpeter that the positive impact was undeniable. 'For us we've got children telling us even though they don't like it, they need it,' Rivera said. RELATED STORIES: A bill banning cell phones in school for kids in K-8 is one step closer to becoming law Georgia student phone, tablet ban passes House vote, heads to state Senate Ban on student phones in Georgia public schools back up for review in House Education Committee Schools participating in cellphone lock-up pilot program says discipline issues are down The school superintendent adding that over the last year, 68% of the teachers at Marietta Middle School reported being less stressed and 22% of 8th grade students reported an increase in their ability to learn. 'The teacher could teach better, and they could learn better as a result of a phone-free classroom,' Rivera added. Marietta Middle School parents like Kayla Sargent told Channel 2 Action News that they've seen the positive impacts of a cell ban. 'My middle school's functioning academically and socially has improved greatly since the ban,' Sargent said. 'I know teachers really appreciate it as well, so I've been very enthusiastic about the tech progress the district has made.' However, some parents like Bryan Williams say they're apprehensive about the ban due to security concerns. 'I would want my kid to have their cell phone in school for those dangerous moments and those moments where they need me,' Williams said. The Distraction-Free Education Act prohibits public school students in grades kindergarten through eight from accessing personal electronic devices during the school day. That includes smartphones, headphones, tablets and smartwatches. School-issued electronic devices can still be used, and school districts also would have come up with policies on storing devices and consequences for violations. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More states move to ban cellphones in school as Georgia is latest to act
ATLANTA (AP) — More states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in school, a trend that continues to win bipartisan support in legislatures. Senators in Georgia voted 54-2 on Tuesday to give final approval to a bill that would bans students in grades K-8 from using phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Currently, nine states ban phones in school, but that number will likely soon rise. Similar bills this year have passed by wide margins in New Mexico, Tennessee and Utah and await action by those states' governors. Measures are also progressing rapidly in other states. The push for cellphone bans has been driven by concerns about the impact screen time has on children's mental health and complaints from teachers that cellphones have become a constant distraction in the classroom. 'This bill isn't just about academics, it's about students' well-being,' Republican Georgia state Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas said during debate Tuesday on House Bill 340. 'Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decreasing social skills, and an increase in bullying. We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.' Nationally, 77% of U.S. schools say they prohibit cellphones at school for nonacademic use, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But that number is misleading. It does not mean students are following those bans or all those schools are enforcing them. Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. The specifics of the measures vary widely. Georgia's bill says students can't access their personal devices at any time during the school day, but enforcement is up to local school districts. Some Georgia districts are already using locking pouches, but schools could also just tell students to leave their phones in their locker, to turn them in to a teacher, or disable them using an online application. Students who need devices to monitor medical conditions or to help overcome intellectual disabilities would still be able to use them. Some other states would still allow phones or other devices to be used in some situations. For example, the Utah bill lets schools permit classroom use under local policies. Georgia isn't providing any extra funding, although supporters suggested districts might be able to use yearly school safety grants if they need to buy pouches or other equipment. New Mexico's bill sets aside $10 million in aid for local schools to help fund adoption Objections to the proposal often center around concerns that students and parents won't be able to contact each other in case of emergency. In September, when a student killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta, many students communicated with their parents and with emergency services using their phones. Sen. Rashaun Kemp, an Atlanta Democrat, said he was voting for the bill. But he pleaded with Republican colleagues to restrict guns to stop school shootings. 'What if that phone could save lives in an active-shooter situation?' Kemp asked 'These are true concerns as a parent that all of us will typically think about. What if that phone is the last opportunity for my child to communicate with me?' But supporters of the bans have noted that students' phones could pose additional dangers during an emergency by distracting students or by revealing their location during an active-shooter situation. Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula said a parent's job is to 'sit down, be responsible and trust the school to follow their emergency action plan. Their calls will go unanswered because their children's phones will be locked away.' For others, though, the bill doesn't go far enough. They want to see the ban extended to high school. Republican Rep. Scott Hilton of Peachtree Corners, the bill's sponsor, said that was likely in a future session. 'This bill is a step in the right direction, but let it be the beginning and not the end,' said Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta. 'Let's ensure that every student from kindergarten to 12th grade has the opportunity to learn free from unnecessary distractions.'
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
More states move to ban cellphones in school as Georgia is latest to act
ATLANTA (AP) — More states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in school, a trend that continues to win bipartisan support in legislatures. Senators in Georgia voted 54-2 on Tuesday to give final approval to a bill that would bans students in grades K-8 from using phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Currently, nine states ban phones in school, but that number will likely soon rise. Similar bills this year have passed by wide margins in New Mexico, Tennessee and Utah and await action by those states' governors. Measures are also progressing rapidly in other states. The push for cellphone bans has been driven by concerns about the impact screen time has on children's mental health and complaints from teachers that cellphones have become a constant distraction in the classroom. 'This bill isn't just about academics, it's about students' well-being,' Republican Georgia state Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas said during debate Tuesday on House Bill 340. 'Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decreasing social skills, and an increase in bullying. We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.' Nationally, 77% of U.S. schools say they prohibit cellphones at school for nonacademic use, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But that number is misleading. It does not mean students are following those bans or all those schools are enforcing them. Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. The specifics of the measures vary widely. Georgia's bill says students can't access their personal devices at any time during the school day, but enforcement is up to local school districts. Some Georgia districts are already using locking pouches, but schools could also just tell students to leave their phones in their locker, to turn them in to a teacher, or disable them using an online application. Students who need devices to monitor medical conditions or to help overcome intellectual disabilities would still be able to use them. Some other states would still allow phones or other devices to be used in some situations. For example, the Utah bill lets schools permit classroom use under local policies. Georgia isn't providing any extra funding, although supporters suggested districts might be able to use yearly school safety grants if they need to buy pouches or other equipment. New Mexico's bill sets aside $10 million in aid for local schools to help fund adoption Objections to the proposal often center around concerns that students and parents won't be able to contact each other in case of emergency. In September, when a student killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta, many students communicated with their parents and with emergency services using their phones. Sen. Rashaun Kemp, an Atlanta Democrat, said he was voting for the bill. But he pleaded with Republican colleagues to restrict guns to stop school shootings. 'What if that phone could save lives in an active-shooter situation?' Kemp asked 'These are true concerns as a parent that all of us will typically think about. What if that phone is the last opportunity for my child to communicate with me?' But supporters of the bans have noted that students' phones could pose additional dangers during an emergency by distracting students or by revealing their location during an active-shooter situation. Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula said a parent's job is to 'sit down, be responsible and trust the school to follow their emergency action plan. Their calls will go unanswered because their children's phones will be locked away.' For others, though, the bill doesn't go far enough. They want to see the ban extended to high school. Republican Rep. Scott Hilton of Peachtree Corners, the bill's sponsor, said that was likely in a future session. 'This bill is a step in the right direction, but let it be the beginning and not the end,' said Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta. 'Let's ensure that every student from kindergarten to 12th grade has the opportunity to learn free from unnecessary distractions.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School cellphones ban, school speed zone camera, library crimes bills advance
ATLANTA (WSAV) — WSAV has told you about new bills proposed in the Georgia General Assembly, including the proposed ban on cellphones in schools, bills on school speed zone camera and the possibility of librarians facing penalties for loaning certain material. WSAV brought you information on House Bill 340 or the Distraction-Free Education Act on Thursday. It will require all public schools K-8 to remove electronic devices from children during school hours. House Bill 225 could completely ban the automated speed zone cameras in school zones. Another option is regulation which would come with House Bill 651. Both advanced on Thursday. Under Senate Bill 74, librarians in public libraries, K-12 schools and colleges could face prosecution or penalties if they loan 'obscene' material to minors. According to Georgia code, 'obscene' means the material is shameful or morbid. Thursday marked the last day for legislation to pass either the House or Senate and be advanced to the other legislative chamber for consideration this session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
