Georgia lawmaker introduces bill to improve disability emergency response statewide

A bill recently put forth by State Rep. Robert Flournoy in the Georgia House seeks to enhance disaster response and support for individuals with disabilities, the Georgia State House reports.

Filed as HB1426 on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill’s formal description is: ’Peace officers; training in evacuation of persons with disabilities during an emergency; provide’.

Below is a summary based on our review of the bill’s text. Some interpretive elements are included for clarity.

The legislation proposes a statewide system to safeguard those with disabilities in emergencies. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, all peace officers would be required to complete training on disability evacuation procedures—covering subjects such as alternative communication, safe transport practices, needed equipment, rights of service animals, and cultural sensitivity. It establishes an optional, confidential registry to help first responders tailor evacuation and transportation plans. State agencies would be tasked with identifying accessible shelters and ensuring these facilities have proper accommodations: reliable power, communication aids, trained staff, transportation options, and service animal provisions. The legislation also prohibits separating visually impaired individuals from their service animals. Emergency transportation policies would be outlined, and a multiagency task force led by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency would oversee evacuation coordination. The bill authorizes agencies to set rules, limits execution based on available funding, and provides immunity for good-faith actions under the measure.

Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (Democrat-95th), Rep. Arlene Beckles (Democrat-96th), and Rep. Akbar Ali (Democrat-106th) co-sponsored the bill.

Flournoy has introduced five additional bills during the current session.

The representative is a Georgia State University graduate.

Flournoy, a Democrat, was elected in 2025 to the state’s 74th House District, succeeding former representative Karen Mathiak.

In Georgia, lawmakers initiate the legislative process by working with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft bills, often following requests from constituents. Once filed with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, a bill is read for the first time and directed to committee for research and discussion. Upon committee approval, it moves to the floor for a third reading, debate, and then a vote. Both legislative chambers must pass the measure—sometimes requiring a conference committee to reconcile differences—before it goes to the governor, who has six days during session, or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die), to sign, veto, or let it become law without signature. The Georgia General Assembly’s 40-day session begins annually on the second Monday of January.

Details in this report were obtained from the Georgia State House. For additional source material, see here.