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Georgia · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 1561: Student Journalist Press Freedom Restoration Act; enact

Introduced Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1561 is a bill introduced in the Georgia House on March 16, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Student Journalist Press Freedom Restoration Act; enact. Primary sponsor: Akbar Ali (Democratic), Phil Olaleye (Democratic), Eric Gisler (Democratic), Bryce Berry (Democratic), Ron Stephens (Republican). Most recent recorded action (March 19, 2026): House Second Readers.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require secondary schools and public institutions of higher education to recognize certain rights for student journalists; to provide for protections for student media advisers; to provide for limitations; to provide for written policies; to provide for proceedings and injunctive relief; to provide for legislative findings, declarations, and intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Akbar AliPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse106
Phil OlaleyePrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse59
Eric GislerPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse121
Bryce BerryPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse56
Ron StephensPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse164

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. House Second Readers
  2. House First Readers
  3. House Hopper

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source