New law bans cellphones, boosts literacy in GA schools. Local lawmakers weigh in

Central Georgia lawmakers are praising a slate of new education laws focused on a variety of issues, including strengthened literacy, classroom discipline and teacher support.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed nine bills on May 5 that he framed as a “historic” step for Georgia students, among them the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 and House Bill 1009, which bans personal electronic devices — including cellphones — in high schools.

The restriction builds on last year’s legislation that removed all personal electronic devices from K-8 classrooms in an effort to create distraction-free environments and improve student academic success.

The law requires all devices to be stored away from the first bell of instruction time until dismissal. Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan or medical plan requires the use of an electronic device would be exempt.

Schools will also have to create communication protocols directing parents to contact the school directly during the day and ensure emergency communication is handled.

Under the law, high schools must implement restrictions by July 1, 2027.

While the measure has drawn concern from families who previously told The Telegraph that removing cellphones would limit communication during emergencies, State Rep. Floyd Griffin said he supports the phone ban.

Griffin also praised the literacy law, which comes when only one in three Georgia third-graders can read on grade level, according to House Speaker Jon Burns.

“I think literacy is utmost importance to success for young people,” Griffin said. “They should know how to read and read well and comprehend at the third grade level.”

The literacy act will deploy over 1,300 full-time literacy coaches in all schools serving K-3 grade students with a $70 million budget, expand kindergarten offerings, create a statewide literacy task force and require the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement to produce a state literacy plan.

The law also allows schools to retain first-grade students who are not reading proficiently rather than promote them to the next grade.

State Rep. Dale Washburn said he was also “pleased” to support the literacy measure and the cellphone ban, calling them overdue responses to problems that have worried lawmakers and educators for years.

“It has been troubling to many of us about so many students being so far behind in reading skills,” Washburn told The Telegraph. “We’re excited about this program and look forward to seeing the results of having these reading coaches teaching coaches in school.”

Additional bills signed

Here are more education bills Kemp signed, detailed according to a press release his office released.

• HB 907: Updates some requirements and policies for completion schools to improve transparency and ensure they are meeting their purpose and target demographics
• HB 1123: Expands childcare options for Georgia families by requiring schools with existing after-school programs to offer the program to pre-K students on the same basis as other students
• HB 1030: The Math Matters Act requires boards of education to dedicate at least 60 minutes of core math instruction each day in grades four and five, directs the Georgia Department of Education to set standards for advanced math courses in grades eight through 10 and support advanced math instruction in grades six and seven.
• HB 1107: Requires the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to develop education preparation provider (EPP) performance measures to evaluate the performance of each program
• HB 1284: Requires local school boards to issue a high school diploma to enrolled high school students who have received a terminal medical diagnosis and are receiving end-of-life care
• SB 148: Allows local school boards to offer hunting safety instruction, creates a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces and removes the requirement for a licensed physician to oversee school automated external defibrillator (AED) programs. It also increases the number of sick days teachers may convert to personal leave from three to five.
• SB 150: Makes it easier for retired teachers to return to work, particularly in high-need subject areas and regions.

Bills that have not yet been signed

Kemp did not yet forward additional education-related bills that passed both chambers during the 2026 legislative session, such as HB 651, which revised how violations of school speed cameras are enforced by local governments.

The bill proposed changes on how school zone speed cameras are approved and operated by local governments, specifically by allowing local referendums before a municipality or county approves a new speed camera contract.

Washburn, who introduced a separate legislation in 2025 to ban the cameras statewide, said he intends to reintroduce the bill again next year if this one does not advance into law.

“We continue to receive many complaints from many people about the school zone cameras, the unfairness of those cameras and the deceptive practices surrounding that ticketing,” Washburn said. “One of my high priorities is to protect our people from this sort of deception and ticketing that rakes in lots of money from Georgia drivers.”

The deadline for Kemp to sign all measures into law is May 12.