Georgia Legislature approves bill to ban discrimination in public schools and colleges

A bill developed by State Sen. Russ Goodman that aims to end discrimination and harassment in Georgia’s public K-12 schools and state colleges and universities has received approval from both chambers, the Georgia State Senate reports.

As of Wednesday, March 25, the measure cleared the House with a 165-0 vote and the Senate with a 46-0 vote.

Filed as SB523 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is formally titled: ’Education; public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; authorize’.

The following summary relies on the actual bill text and is intended to clarify its main elements.

In summary, the legislation bars discrimination and harassment in the state’s public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status. It mandates that antisemitism be treated as religious discrimination. The Department of Education must appoint a statewide K-12 Title VI coordinator, and both the Board of Regents and the Technical College System board must select a higher education Title VI coordinator by Sept. 29, 2026, to oversee complaint procedures, investigations, corrective measures, and referrals to federal authorities. The law permits withholding state funds for violations, outlines processes for notice and appeal, upholds free speech rights, and mandates yearly reporting. The act takes effect with the governor’s approval or if it becomes law without a signature.

In the Senate, all 16 Democrats and 30 Republicans supported the bill with no opposition votes.

In the House, 69 Democrats and 96 Republicans also voted in favor, with none opposed.

Twenty-three additional lawmakers co-sponsored the measure, including Rep. Deborah Silcox (Republican-53rd), Sen. John Albers (Republican-56th), and Sen. Lee Anderson (Republican-24th).

Goodman is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BS degree.

Goodman, a Republican, joined the Georgia State Senate in 2021, representing District 8 after succeeding Ellis Black.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 5.

For reference, Georgia’s lawmaking process starts when a legislator, often consulting with the Office of Legislative Counsel and at times responding to constituents, drafts and submits a bill. After its introduction in either the House or Senate, the bill receives its initial reading and is assigned to a committee for consideration and amendment. If approved, it proceeds for a third reading on the legislative floor, debate, and a vote. A bill that passes both bodies—as is or after reconciliation by a conference committee—advances to the governor’s desk. The governor then has six legislative days, or 40 days post-adjournment, to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The General Assembly sessions run for 40 days each year, beginning the second Monday of January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State Senate. The source data can be found here.