ATLANTA (Monday, March 5, 2012) – Today, President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R – Lyons) passed SB 410 which adopts indicators such as quality of learning by students, financial efficiency and school climate for individual schools and school systems. The legislation requires a numerical score rating for individual schools and school systems based on student achievement, achievement gap closure and student progress. It also requires that a letter grade be assigned to each school and school system and included on each school and school system’s annual report card. The grade is derived from the numerical score, with a majority of the grade based on student achievement. SB 410 passed with a vote of 38 to 13.
Senate Passes Bill Protecting Private Schools from Breach of Confidentiality of Student Records
ATLANTA (March 2, 2012) – The Georgia Senate passed SB 405 unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), this legislation ensures private institutions are not held liable for potential breaches in confidentiality, involving transferred student records, as a result of actions by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and its employees.
The Fight to Reform Georgia’s Juvenile Code
By: Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton)
ATLANTA (March 2, 2012) – Reforming Georgia’s juvenile justice code has long been a priority of mine. For many years, this system has operated under code provisions that are outdated and ineffective; hampering our state’s ability to move children out of the juvenile court system permanently.
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Metal Theft Legislation Passes the Senate
ATLANTA (March 2, 2012) –The Georgia Senate passed SB 321 on Wednesday by a vote of 44 to 5. Sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), this legislation would place additional requirements on metal recyclers and sellers –particularly the recycling of copper – to curb metal theft in Georgia.
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Sen. Bill Hamrick to Drive Juvenile Justice Reform Bill in the Senate
ATLANTA (March 1, 2012) – Sen. Bill Hamrick (R-Carrollton) is continuing his work to reform Georgia’s juvenile code by sponsoring SB 127, also known as the Child Protection and Public Safety Act. The Act is known as HB 641 in the House of Representatives and calls for substantial changes in the state’s juvenile court proceedings. One of the most important components of the bill calls for well-defined articles outlining the child’s rights to procedural due process, family preservation, proper representation and available services; all dependent on the specific reason for juvenile court intervention.
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