ATLANTA – The families of teachers killed in mass shootings and other violent acts at school would get double the money under legislation that has passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly but still awaits final approval after some changes.
House Bill 105 passed the state Senate unanimously on Wednesday after unanimous passage by the Georgia House of Representatives. However, an amendment by the Senate means it must return to the House for final approval.
The bill seeks to double to $150,000 the compensation to loved ones when teachers and other public school employees are killed “in the line of duty.”
This would put indemnification for teachers in parity with that of police officers killed on the job.
It’s an acknowledgement of the growing risk of violence in schools.
“This is in response to the tragedy at Apalachee High School,” said Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, who presented the bill on the Senate floor.
Two teachers and two students were killed in the mass shooting at Apalachee High last September, with nine others injured.
The amendment that needs House approval adds a requirement that the State Board of Workers’ Compensation inform injured police officers when they are eligible to apply to a fund that covers the difference between full pay and workers compensation while recovering.
Workers’ comp covers two-thirds of their pay, said Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough. He said Gov. Brian Kemp agreed to the amendment to HB 105, which Strickland characterized as one of the governor’s bills.