Georgia school mapping law

Does Georgia require school maps?

Yes, for each public school. Not later than July 1, 2026, each public school must procure school mapping data. "School mapping data" means building information, floor plans and aerial imagery of a school. Local school systems must work with, and get agreement from, their primary local law enforcement agency before procuring school mapping data. The Governor's office said HB 268 requires schools to have up-to-date mapping and mobile panic alert systems.

What must the maps show?

How often must the maps be checked?

The entity producing the mapping data must verify it for accuracy by July 1 each year, through an in-person inspection of each school. Any future updates must also work with the software of 911 centers and public safety agencies.

Who receives the maps?

The mapping section, § 38-3-154, does not name anyone schools must deliver their maps to and does not require schools to submit maps to GEMA/HS (the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency). Each public school's mobile panic alert system, called Alyssa's Alert, must be able to integrate with the school mapping data and with the technology used in each local 911 center. GEMA/HS is allowed, but not required, to develop rules for school mapping data, which may cover encryption and secure transmission of the data to first responders. As part of their safety plans, public schools must provide for coordination with local law enforcement agencies and the local juvenile court system.

What does state guidance add?

GEMA/HS guidance tells schools they must procure school mapping data in collaboration with their primary local law enforcement agency. Its 2026 school safety plan guide recommends current physical or electronic blueprints and maps of school buildings and campus, shared with local emergency management agencies and law enforcement. This is a recommendation, not law. The guide says maps must mark Incident Command and Reunification locations, and electronic maps must include geocoordinates and connect with 911 center systems or a third-party data platform. This is agency guidance, not law. It also says paper maps must be large, easy to read and stored securely at the Board of Education, at local law enforcement and at several school locations, and that go-bags must hold printed maps. This is agency guidance, not law. The 2026 guide reflects Georgia law signed as of July 1, 2025.

Are the maps confidential?

Information provided to GEMA/HS under § 38-3-154 is exempt from public disclosure to the extent provided in the Open Records Act, § 50-18-72. That act exempts "building mapping information" produced and maintained under Article 10 of Chapter 3 of Title 38, the article § 38-3-154 sits in. It separately exempts school safety plans, whether held by the school system, local law enforcement, the local emergency management agency, the Department of Education or GEMA/HS. It also lets agencies withhold any plan or blueprint whose release could compromise security against sabotage, criminal or terrorist acts. Local boards, school systems, public schools, and local governments and agencies are immune from civil liability for damages arising from the creation and use of school mapping data.

Is there state funding?

The FY2027 budget gives $116,021,568 for School Security Grants, which fund grants to local school systems for school security needs and student mental health support; the purpose statement does not name mapping. The amended FY2026 budget (HB 973) gave GEMA/HS $2,000,000 in one-time funds for GIS mapping and Next Generation 911 preparedness; the line does not mention schools. An older 2008 law lets GEMA/HS create and run a statewide first-responder building mapping system, and make grants to local governments, only if funds are available. Once it is running, GEMA/HS must make the information available electronically to all public safety agencies.

Has the law changed recently?

HB 268 (2025) added the school mapping duty and took effect on the Governor's approval. A 2026 House floor amendment to HB 1396 would have let public safety agencies, school safety personnel or school administrators also do the yearly verification. HB 1396 was not enacted; its last recorded action was on April 2, 2026. SB 17, the original "Ricky and Alyssa's Law" bill that would have amended the mapping article, was not enacted; its last recorded action was on March 31, 2026. SB 406 (2024) would have created a GEMA/HS school mapping grant program and required maps oriented true north, laid over an aerial image, with an x/y grid. It died in the House, and the enacted § 38-3-154 has no such map requirement.