Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1561: Student Journalist Press Freedom Restoration Act; enact
Status: In committee, March 19, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require secondary schools and public institutions of higher education to recognize certain rights for student journalists; to provide for protections for student media advisers; to provide for limitations; to provide for written policies; to provide for proceedings and injunctive relief; to provide for legislative findings, declarations, and intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require secondary schools and public institutions of higher education to recognize certain rights for student journalists; to provide for protections for student media advisers; to provide for limitations; to provide for written policies; to provide for proceedings and injunctive relief; to provide for legislative findings, declarations, and intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require secondary schools and public institutions of higher education to recognize certain rights for student journalists; to provide for protections for student media advisers; to provide for limitations; to provide for written policies; to provide for proceedings and injunctive relief; to provide for legislative findings, declarations, and intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Freedom of expression through school sponsored media is a fundamental principle in our democratic society granted under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Paragraph V of Section I of Article I of the Georgia Constitution; (2) A robust and free student press is critical to the development of informed and civic minded adults; H. B. 1561 LC 65 0086 (3) Student journalists are denied the right to free expression guaranteed to other students, and their work is subject to censorship in circumstances where other student speech would not be restricted; and (4) Teachers who …
Sponsors
- Ali, Akbar (D) · primary sponsor
- Phil Olaleye (D, 59)
- Gisler, Eric (D, 121)
- Bryce Berry (D, 56)
- Ron Stephens (R, 164)
Latest actions
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Common questions
- What is HB1561?
- HB1561 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Student Journalist Press Freedom Restoration Act; enact.
- What does HB1561 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require secondary schools and public institutions of higher education to recognize certain rights for student journalists; to provide for protections for student media advisers; to provide for limitations; to provide for written policies; to provide for proceedings and injunctive relief; to provide for legislative findings, declarations, and intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters…
- What is the status of HB1561?
- In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: House Second Readers (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1561?
- Ali, Akbar (D), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1561?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74116
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.