ATLANTA – State Representative Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) recently reintroduced the “Safe Teens Act,” legislation originally introduced as House Bill 914 during the 2024 legislative session. This year’s version, House Bill 106, would authorize local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to offer driver education as an elective course worth one-half of an elective credit for students.
“I’m excited to bring back this much-needed legislation this year,” said Rep. Barnes. “Encouraging Georgia’s teens to be proactive, prepared and ready to navigate the roads is a necessary and practical step in promoting the highest level of driver safety and education. I’m confident this legislation will better prioritize driver safety and road readiness for our teens which is crucial for effective and safe driving on our busy Georgia roads.”
During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Barnes introduced HB 914, which would authorize local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to offer driver education as an elective course worth one-half of an elective credit for students. Although HB 914 did not receive final passage, Rep. Barnes introduced HB 106 this year to build on that earlier effort. HB 106 would also grant local boards of education and other public school governing bodies the authority to offer an elective driver education training course, approved by the Department of Driver Services (DDS). This course would also be available to high school students for one-half unit of elective credit.
To read the full text of HB 106, please click here.
Representative Imani Barnes represents the citizens of District 86, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Higher Education, Public and Community Health and Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees.
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