ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that could hold parents criminally responsible if their child injures a teacher, a move that has sparked debate among educators, parents and advocates across the state.

The proposed legislation, known as the Georgia Parent Accountability Act, would allow for fines, community service and potential jail time for parents whose children are found to have assaulted school staff. The bill comes amid growing concerns over violence in schools.

Viral videos circulating online have highlighted several recent incidents, including one at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in DeKalb County, where a student was seen punching a teacher, who then appeared to retaliate. Another video from Discovery High School in Gwinnett County in 2022 showed a similar altercation.

According to the American Psychological Association, violence against school staff has been on the rise since the pandemic. In a recent survey, 56% of teachers reported experiencing physical violence at work, and nearly half indicated they were considering quitting or transferring schools.

“Teachers are very important,” said Alex Beniost, a former DeKalb County student. “We need more teachers, not less.”

Verdallia Turner, a longtime teacher and president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, helped draft the bill and said it aims to hold parents accountable for their children’s actions.

“When I worked in inner-city schools, we would have at least three or four fights a week,” said Turner.

Turner said they’re prepared for opposition to the bill, but parents need to be held accountable.

“If I run a red light, I pay the price. If I don’t pay the IRS, I pay the price,” Turner said. “Parents now will have to get a grip and understand who their child is, because some parents don’t even know what their children are doing,” said Turner.

Critics of the legislation argue that the proposed punishments are too harsh.

Joan Moore, a former teacher, said the bill is extremely excessive.

“Parents and kids both have anger issues these days. Money would be better spent on a bill that mandates parenting classes,” Moore said.

The Georgia General Assembly is expected to take up the proposal when it reconvenes in January.

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