Georgia lawmakers finished their session ahead of the midnight deadline on Thursday, marking Crossover Day with extensive activity in both the House and Senate. Bills that did not pass from one chamber to the other by midnight are considered dead for the session. School safety was a major focus, with both chambers working on measures to improve security in schools.

In the House, HB 268 was passed following a shooting at Apalachee High School in September 2024. This bill creates a statewide database that includes student disciplinary, law enforcement, and mental health information to help schools identify potential threats. The House also passed the Georgia Survivor Justice Act (HB 582), which allows evidence of family violence or child abuse to be used as a defense in court.

The Senate unanimously passed “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law” (SB 17), which requires school systems to set up panic alert systems to better coordinate with first responders during emergencies. SB 204 was also approved, changing how certain offenses may be charged in Georgia. Another bill, SB 220, seeks to ban THC-laced drinks and is on its way to the House.

Several important bills did not pass, including the Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act (HB 1) and the bill against diversity and inclusion programs in schools (SB 120). Lawmakers are now working on bills from the other chamber.