Georgia school security camera law

What does Georgia law allow for classroom cameras?

Under the 2016 law (HB 614) that enacted O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.2, a local school system or school may, in its sole discretion, agree to place video monitoring cameras in classrooms; taking part is voluntary. Participating schools must give parents or guardians prior notice that cameras are placed in the approved classrooms. They must keep the classroom video for at least three months and no more than 12 months. The cameras may be used only to monitor classroom instruction, classroom interactions and teacher observation. Reviewing the video for any other purpose needs a parent's written permission or a court subpoena. School systems may accept gifts, grants and donations to pay for these classroom cameras. The General Assembly's official 2016 summary says HB 614 enacted § 20-2-324.2, effective July 1, 2016.

Can parents opt their child out of video?

Under the Parents' Bill of Rights, a public school's parental-involvement policy must include procedures for a parent to refuse photographs or video or voice recordings of their child. That opt-out is subject to public safety and security exceptions.

How do safety plans treat cameras?

Public school safety plans must include evaluating and refining school security measures; the statute does not name cameras. Each public school must have a mobile panic alert system in place by July 1, 2026; this is a panic alert duty, not a camera duty. Local school systems may add systems for real-time coordination among first responders; the statute does not mention video or cameras. GEMA/HS (Georgia's emergency management agency) says its school training and technical assistance includes site surveys and safety audits.

What does state guidance recommend?

GEMA/HS presents its intruder and suspicious-person procedures as recommendations. Its guide recommends procedures for using surveillance cameras to track an intruder's location while staff communicate with law enforcement. It tells school bus drivers to check cameras and communications equipment often to make sure they work. It lists photos or video of the building's interior and exterior as possible evacuation-kit contents.

How can schools pay for cameras?

A Georgia public school may ask the state for funding assistance for safety improvements. The equipment named for that funding expressly includes video surveillance cameras. Department of Education review criteria for these requests must consider the school's physical security needs. The FY 2027 School Security Grants program funds local school systems' school security needs and student mental health support; cameras are not named. The General Assembly authorized $50,000,000 in 5-year bonds for school safety equipment grants, and the Governor vetoed that authorization.

What camera bills did not pass?

HB 47 (2025, not enacted) would have limited new QBE school-security funding to listed items, starting with mobile surveillance camera trailers. HB 1094 (2026, not enacted) would have listed GPS and safety camera systems among allowable student transportation grant uses.