06 LC 33
1273
Senate
Bill 610
By:
Senators Moody of the 56th, Balfour of the 9th, Starr of the 44th, Thomas of the
54th and Chance of the 16th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 20-2-2065 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to waiver of provisions of Title 20 for charter schools, requirements for
operating charter schools, and the control and management of charter schools, so
as to provide that nothing shall preclude the use of computer and Internet based
instruction for students in a virtual or remote setting; to provide for related
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 20-2-2065 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to waiver
of provisions of Title 20 for charter schools, requirements for operating
charter schools, and the control and management of charter schools, is amended
by striking subsection (b) and and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:
"(b)
In determining whether to approve a charter petition or renew an existing
charter, the local board and state board shall ensure that a charter school
shall be:
(1)
A public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, nonprofit school that is not home based,
provided that a charter
schooĺs
nonprofit status shall not prevent the school from contracting for the services
of a for profit entity
and that
nothing in this Code section shall preclude the use of computer and Internet
based instruction for students in a virtual or remote
setting;
(2)
Subject to the control and management of the local board of the local school
system in which the charter school is located, as provided in the charter and in
a manner consistent with the Constitution, if a local charter
school;
(3)
Subject to the supervision of the state board, as provided in the charter and in
a manner consistent with the Constitution, if a state chartered special
school;
(4)
Organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of this state;
provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to any charter petitioner
that is a local school or state or local public entity;
(5)
Subject to all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, court orders, and
statutes relating to civil rights; insurance; the protection of the physical
health and safety of school students, employees, and visitors; conflicting
interest transactions; and the prevention of unlawful conduct;
(6)
Subject to all laws relating to unlawful conduct in or near a public
school;
(7)
Subject to an annual financial audit conducted by the state auditor or, if
specified in the charter, by an independent certified public accountant licensed
in this state;
(8)
Subject to the provisions of Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 14 of this title,
and such provisions shall apply with respect to charter schools whose charters
are granted or renewed on or after July 1, 2000;
(9)
Subject to all reporting requirements of Code Section 20-2-160, subsection (e)
of Code Section 20-2-161, Code Section 20-2-320, and Code Section
20-2-740;
(10)
Subject to the requirement that it shall not charge tuition or fees to its
students except as may be authorized for local boards by Code Section 20-2-133;
and
(11)
Subject to the provisions of Code Section 20-2-1050 requiring a brief period of
quiet
reflection."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.